US ends wildlife aid programme to Cambodia

PHNOM PENH • The United States is ending a Cambodian aid programme aimed at protecting one of the country's biggest wildlife sanctuaries, citing worsening deforestation and the silencing of those who speak out about the destruction of natural resources.

The US Embassy in Phnom Penh said in a statement yesterday that it had invested more than US$100 million (S$134 million) to combat deforestation and despite some progress, high rates of illegal logging had continued in the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Since 2016, Prey Lang had "lost approximately 38,000ha of forest, nearly 9 per cent of its forest cover", it said, accusing the Cambodian authorities of not adequately prosecuting wildlife crimes or stopping illicit activities.

"In addition, the government continues to silence and target local communities and their civil society partners who are justifiably concerned about losing their natural resources," the statement said.

In February, the authorities detained and later released environmental activists protesting inside the sanctuary.

"As a result of these unresolved concerns, the US is ending assistance to government entities under the USAID Greening Prey Lang project," the embassy said, adding that aid will instead be redirected to support civil society, private sector and local efforts.

The embassy said it would continue to engage with the Cambodian government on climate change and environmental issues of mutual and global concern, including through the Mekong-US Partnership.

The Cambodian government denied large-scale illegal logging activities were continuing in the sanctuary and said the ending of the US aid programme showed the country was now capable of protecting the environment on its own.

"The Ministry of Environment would like to emphasise that large-scale natural resource crimes in the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary and other protected areas no longer occur, but small-scale crimes continue to occur," the ministry's spokesman Neth Pheaktra said.

REUTERS