Overview

ZOA Refugee Care is a Dutch, Christian, Non-Governmental Organization, formed in 1973 to respond to the needs of refugees, internally displaced persons and victims of disasters. Programs are implemented in Asia (Afghanistan, Thailand (Burmer border), Laos, Cambodia and Sri Lanka); Africa (Angola, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Sudan and Rwanda), and; Europe (Albania). Assistance is provided irrespective of race, sex, religion or politics. Assistance provided ranges from short-term emergency relief to longer-term reintegration assistance. ZOA implements projects in several sectors, including, Water & Sanitation, Health, Agriculture, Education, Income Generation, small scale infrastructure (roads, dams, and irrigation), and Community Development. ZOA uses an integrated approach to project implementation in clearly defined geographical areas.

Background

ZOA began operations to assist Cambodian refugees living in the refugee camps in Thailand in 1979 and continued working in the camps until 1992. Following the 1991-92 repatriation, ZOA established itself in Cambodia and became operational in 1993. In May 1993, ZOA signed a letter of protocol with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating ZOA's long term objective in Cambodia to implement projects that would facilitate the reintegration and rehabilitation process of repatriated and, or internally displaced persons. From 1993 to 2000 ZOA implemented integrated rural development and health projects in three districts in Kampong Speu Province. ZOA’s primary mandate is to provide assistance to refugees, returnees and IDPs. As security improved in northwest Cambodia following the 1998 national elections and the political settlement made between the Cambodian Government and remaining Khmer Rouge rebels, ZOA made a strategic decision to focus activities in the northwest where there were large numbers of returnees and IDPs. From 1998 to 2004 ZOA implemented integrated urban and rural development programs in Poipet Town and the surrounding rural area. ZOA is now focusing on a single comprehensive integrtrated rural development and disaster preparedness program in all five districts of Otdar Meanchey Province. Building capacity of local NGOs and local government is a key element of the Otdar Meanchey Provincial Development Plan. Increased financial and economic responsibility by local government and local NGOs is emphasized. Sustainability is emphasized and handover of activities to appropriate government agencies, Local NGOs, and Community Based Organisations is supported whenever possible.

Value

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Mission

ZOA sees its role and contribution as summarised in the following mission statement: ZOA Refugee Care supports refugees, internally displaced, returnees and others affected by conflict or natural disaster in their transition from instability and deficiency of basic needs towards a situation in which conditions enabling a process of structural development have been re-established. This support is practised: 1. irrespective of race, religion or social background of beneficiaries; 2. through the implementation of relief and rehabilitation programmes; 3. by partners with local capacity and/or through own operational presence; 4. making use of funding from the organisation’s own constituency, the general public and institutional donors; 5. According to high standards of professionalism.

Vision

ZOA perceive poverty as the result of unjust processes and unequal conditions regarding access to resources, rights and development opportunities. In the context of conflict and instability, vulnerability of the poor often increases and entire groups are marginalized. ZOA believe that every person is unique and valuable. Assistance is therefore provided irrespective of race, religion or social background. This also means ZOA does not aim to work for beneficiaries, though rather ZOA works with beneficiaries to promote conditions that enable them to improve their situation through their own initiative. People have physical, social, mental and spiritual dimensions that are strongly interrelated. For most target groups in the South, this interrelation of human dimensions influences many aspects of daily life. We acknowledge the need for a balance in the way these dimensions are addressed and for an operational approach that matches the needs of target groups.

Goal

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