Pol Pot's mass purges and executions, combined with the hunger and sickness resulting from his draconian policies, killed at least a million people. In 1979, with Vietnam's help, the Khmer Rouge was overthrown. During the first year, Oxfam provided funds for the implementation of community development activities including rice bank construction, digging of fish ponds, and small-scale income generation. Oxfam has continued to support CT, as it works to assist disadvantaged villagers to become self-reliant in improving the quality of their lives. The years of fighting devastated Cambodia's infrastructure, and caused extreme social economic and political dislocation, and psychological and physical trauma for the population.
Domestic violence is high as a result of forced marriages and the brutalisation of society.
Oxfam has been working in Cambodia since 1979. Oxfam works with local partner organisations to raise awareness about and provide protection against domestic violence, enable people to establish civil and political rights, to resolve conflict and to reduce the proliferation of weapons in society. In close collaboration with religious organisations, Oxfam supports projects which help people prepare for natural disasters and also provides emergency assistance when they strike. Gender issues are an overarching concern in all our work. Further reading from Oxfam Publishing Cambodia About Oxfam .