How you can help

Donate/ Volunteer/ Share

The COVID Crisis is a complicated one.

The immediate health crisis is the most apparent, but this is bleeding into economic and social crises by the minute. The question now is how do we curb the crisis, and for those who are both willing and able, what can we do that would be genuinely impactful?

The Idea has formulated the three problem areas below which require the most attention in order of urgency and scale.

1. Healthcare - even though The Idea has visibility in the industry and through the task force, we don’t know if we’re seeing the tip of the iceberg or the tip of the volcano due to current testing methods. As is, healthcare institutions are already running out of resources. This requires immediate assistance to prevent the problem from becoming worse and for much longer.

2. SMEs - The real backbone of an economy is with small businesses. Given the downturn of the global economy, added to the reality of a partial withdrawal of the EBA, it is unlikely we can prevent mass layoffs in the industrial sector - namely factories. This leaves the next largest employers in the SME sector.

   If business confidence continues to decrease, we will be faced with mass layoffs and less spending across the economy meaning less business closures. And with no appropriate stimulus packages in sight, it would be a harsh outlook for Cambodia. [Note: Loans are not appropriate stimulus packages, and if executed poorly will lead to greater social issues down the line.]

3. The Community - Due to the necessity of social/physical distancing, we are now steering people away from a physical sickness into a mental one. The reality is that many people are unable to cope in enclosed spaces for so long, and others who live alone are unable to get support, and in the case of Cambodia, many have just been laid off or given pay cuts. Expats have been the first to be laid off with NGO evacuations and school closures, the next big rounds of layoffs are locals in the hospitality and retail industries. This is not to mention the insufficient/lack of mental health infrastructure in Cambodia to cope with the rising anxiety, panic and fear that is grasping the country.

   Below are clear directions which you can do to help in this situation. Check out our Blog for advice and Here for why we are helping.

#1 Medical

The Idea has a COVID Task force channeling resources to the appropriate healthcare institutions.

You can help by donating cash, equipment and time to the cause.

Currently:

• The Khmer Soviet Hospital and other NGO funded organizations need support, please contact us so we can coordinate resources to the appropriate departments

• Note: We will be updating this daily with needs and support from these institutions.

• The image below is shared from the Khmer Soviet Hospital of items which they are short of, donations are welcome.

#2

SME

SMEs are the backbone of any economy and Cambodia’s is at risk. After tourism falls, partial EBA withdrawal and now COVID fear and lockdowns many are closing which is threatening thousands of jobs throughout Cambodia.

Currently:

• The Idea has developed a task force to work with hospitality businesses first on the Slaprea platform to promote F&B outlets willing to donate 1 meal for every $5 spent. Get eating :)

• SME Resources are being developed daily to support businesses with tools and assets which can be found here on our blog. If you are happy to support a business through skilled volunteering please reach out and ask!

• A ‘Payback’ or ‘Advanced Bulk Purchase’ Schemes are being developed so companies can purchases goods and services from SMEs now or over a retainer to assist with financial survival of SMEs. - You can already do this on your own! Look through your shopping list and see which SME you can negotiate and support during this time.

If you’re interested in directly helping some organizations, please check out some of the links below: