This uneconomic dam would destroy the world's largest remaining habitat of the highly endangered Siamese crocodile and displace over a thousand indigenous people into a wild elephant corridor jeopardising the safety of both the villagers and the elephants.
The Cambodian Youth Network cyn-cambodia.blogspot.com and the Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Communities /www.ccfccambodia.blogspot.com.au/ have both organized successful campaigns in the past including the protection of another iconic forest at Prey long.
These volunteers are going to the valley to inform the communities about the effects of the dam and to advise them on how to express their voices against it in a democratic way. They help the communities get organized, empower them and teach them how to protest in a democratic, organized and peaceful way.
As well as paying for transport, food and leaflets for volunteers from CYN and CCFC to raise awareness in Areng Valley, your donation will also help fund their plans to bring some of the Areng valley people to Phnom Penh to meet up with Chinese embassy officials, deliver a petition to embassies and government ministries etc.
We agree with CYN and CCFC that having the villagers stand up and say no to this suicidal dam, especially pointing out the unsuitability of the relocation site, would be the most effective strategy. With the Cambodian general election looming in July, the government is likely to be very sensitive to the voice of the villagers but only if we can help them be heard.