As part of the fight against zoonotic diseases and the international PREZODE (Preventing Zoonotic Disease Emergence) initiative, the AfriCam Cambodia project was officially launched on June 1 in Phnom Penh, an event organized by IRD, CIRAD and Cambodian partners.
Photo of officials and AfriCam project leaders in Cambodia
© IRD Cambodia
His Excellency Mr. Jacques Pellet, Ambassador of France to Cambodia, officially launched the AfriCam project in Cambodia alongside Dr. Sorn San, Deputy Director General of GDAHP (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, MAFF), Dr. Krang Sidonn, Deputy Director of CDC Cambodia (Ministry of Health), Mr. Hort Sothea, Deputy Director of DWB (MAFF), Prof. Adèle Martial, IRD Representative in Cambodia, Dr. François Roger, CIRAD Representative in Southeast Asia, Prof. André Spiegel, Director of the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge and Mr. Emmanuel Dollfus, Deputy Director of AFD in Cambodia.
AfriCam is the first component of the PREACTS (PREzode in ACTion in the Global South) project financed by AFD. PREACTS is the operational application of the PREZODE Initiative announced by President Emmanuel Macron at the One Planet Summit in January 2021, and reinforces the commitments of France and Cambodia to the "One Health" approach.
In Cambodia, the AfriCam project is led by IRD and CIRAD. It is also co-constructed with local partners: Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC), Institut de Technologie du Cambodge (ITC), Battambang Hospital, Agronomists and Veterinarians Without Borders (AVSF) and the NGOs Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and IDE.
© AFD
From l. to r.: Mr. Emmanuel Dollfus, His Excellency Mr. Jacques Pellet, Dr. Sorn San, Dr. Krang Sidonn
© IRD Cambodia
Speech by Dr. Sorn San at the launch of AfriCam in Cambodia, in the background from l. to r.: Mr. Hort Sothea, Dr. Krang Sidonn, His Excellency Mr. Jacques Pellet
The project in Cambodia is led by Dr. Anne Laure Bañuls (IRD) and co-supervised by Dr. Flavie Goutard (CIRAD). The coordination team consists of Dr. Ly Sowath (IPC), Dr. Vincent Herbreteau (IRD) and Dr. Hélène Guis (CIRAD).
The aim of AfriCam Cambodia is to study zoonotic risks associated with hydrological dynamics and climatic and environmental changes at the human-animal-environment interface. The project will implement activities aimed at reducing the emergence of zoonotic risks and strengthening surveillance systems towards "One Health" surveillance. At a time of environmental, climatic and social upheaval, the project aims to prevent the emergence of new epidemics, coordinated with local and national partners.
The ceremony was followed by workshops with AfriCam's partners to discuss the project's objectives, strategies and impacts with the various players involved in the "One Health" approach in Cambodia.