In
2005, the Road
Safety Project of the Cambodian Red Cross was implemented
eight schools in the capital city, Phnom Penh, with 400 CRC
Youth received training and helmets.
In 2006, the Cambodian Red Cross Youth Program has expanded
the Road Safety Project, Road Safety Begins with Me, to Battambang
Province, the second largest province in Cambodia. This province
has the third highest number of road accidents in Cambodia,
according to 2004 Road Traffic Accident and Victim Information
System Report.
Humanitarian crisis
Road safety is fast becoming a humanitarian crisis in Cambodia,
with fatality and injury rates twice the regional average. Youth
account for almost half of all traffic casualties. The volume
of traffic is expected to rise exponentially over the next decade.
Due to these alarming statistics, the CRCYP identified, in consultation
with students in the city, a clear need to intervene to create
greater road safety awareness among youth.
CRCYP believes that in order to influence others to change their
behaviors on the road, the youth must become role models within
their schools, families and communities. The project has two
components; road safety workshops in high schools, and city-wide
campaigns designed to raise awareness among youth through parades
and performances.
Training
As a first step, CRC Youth Advisors in four high schools in
Battambang received road safety training. Next, the Youth Advisors
facilitated training to 175 CRC Youth through a five-day youth
camp from June 30 to July 4, 2006.
The training included information on the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement, the seven Fundamental Principles, CRC Youth Programme
Policy, First Aid, Road Safety Laws and Regulations, and a Road
Safety Simulation Course. After the training, all facilitators
and participants receive helmets.
A social side
During the training, the youth were able to interact with one
another through group discussion, debating sessions and games.
In addition to receiving the road safety training, the youth
experienced living in a camp. One youth said it this way: “when
I am at home, my parents do everything for me, but at this camp,
I have learned how to cook together as a team with other youth!”
Ultimately, the camp was more than road safety training; it
was five intense days filled with learning, sharing knowledge,
and making friends.
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175
CRC youth were trained in Road Safety in Cambodia in July.
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After
the training, all facilitators and participants received
helmets.
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