USAID Cambodia Countering Trafficking-In-Persons (CTIP) Program Quarterly Progress Report: January 1 – March 31, 2020

The program focuses on strengthening its savings group model, soft skills trainings, and market linkages to empower vulnerable populations and reduce trafficking in persons (TIP). Key accomplishments for the period in review are summarized below. CTIP partners, including the Cambodian Center for the Study of Development in Agriculture (CEDAC) and Sovann Phoum, reassessed savings group operations using the CTIP-developed savings group assessment tool. The assessment highlighted improvements in the sustainability of the savings groups, with CEDAC supporting 27 groups whose performances improved and Sovann Phoum supporting three groups, two of which graduated to strong categories. Additionally, Sovann Phoum motivated 44 other members to join savings groups, and the CTIP Team supported its five savings groups in increasing their savings by $3,787.00. Community animators demonstrated improved capacity to sustain all prevention activities, with the continuing mentorship of CTIP and CEDAC. They stepped up their technical and mobilization support to all activities in the community, acting as facilitators and trainers for the soft skills echo trainings in 38 villages. Producers who have formed their groups continued to address production and group marketing challenges, with CEDAC reporting that only 44% of its existing 52 producer groups can produce and market sufficiently on their own to local markets. CTIP and community animators conducted 38 soft skills sessions, reaching a total of 1,245 at-risk beneficiaries, including secondary school students. The CTIP team accomplished 95% of planned trainings for the quarter and has reached 27% of its targeted villages for the March – June implementation period. Additionally, the CTIP team started to adapt the delivery of soft skills trainings with the understanding to resume trainings after the restrictions due to the pandemic are lifted. In the area of protection, CTIP continued to follow up on 19 of the 21 active cases of TIP survivors assisted through CTIP’s case management system. All 19 cases were assessed to be in step 4, meaning that their case continues to be implemented and will be reviewed periodically. Fifteen survivors are currently employed but need further support in establishing meaningful employment. CTIP provided small grant in-kind assistance to an additional 16 eligible beneficiaries in Kampong Cham and Koh Kong during the period, which helped increase the savings of the groups and its loan capacity. The CTIP team implemented measures in compliance with globally recommended health and safety measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus after the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Winrock International issued its own safety and security plans to protect its staff and operations, which included developing contingency plans adjusting activities due to restrictions on travel and large meetings considering the uncertainty of when restrictions will be lifted. The program anticipates that restrictions on travel and in-person meetings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will continue. CTIP, CEDAC, and Sovann Phoum will reassess their activities and adjust their plans accordingly to ensure the continuation of the program's objectives. The CTIP team will continue to provide technical support to community animators and partners to ensure the sustainability of the savings groups and the successful implementation of the program's activities.