Press Release
Pacific Partnership 2010 finished its mission in Cambodia on June 28, 2010, after 12 days of working alongside the people of Cambodia delivering a variety of humanitarian and civic assistance both ashore and aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19). This marks the first time Pacific Partnership has visited Cambodia.
“The time has flown by quickly and we should all take great pride in everything we have accomplished together in such a short time,” said Pacific Partnership 2010 Mission Commander, Capt. Lisa M. Franchetti. “We have enjoyed a warm and friendly welcome from the Cambodian people, and will long remember the friendships we have made and the inspiring times we have shared during our visit.”
Medical staff, Seabees, non-governmental organizations, partner nations, and other U.S. government personnel not only worked in their respective specialties in Sihanoukville, but extended their endeavors to Kampong Cham, Kampong Speu, Kampot, Kandal, Ratanakiri, and Takeo provinces.
In remote areas such as Ratanakiri, more than 300 miles away from Sihanoukville, medical personnel treated more than 700 patients per day for a variety of medical conditions, including cholera, chronic skin infections, respiratory infections, and malnutrition. Patients were also treated in Kampong Cham, Kampong Speu, Kampot, and Sihanouk provinces. In total, more than 29,000 people received care at these sites.
Aboard the USNS Mercy, medical personnel treated 536 patients and performed 286 surgeries. Various engineering civic action program (ENCAP) teams throughout the country carried out a variety of projects, including drilling three water wells and building two water towers, as well as renovating schools and children’s centers.
To coincide with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cambodia, the USNS Mercy was instrumental in repatriating ancient Khmer artifacts to their ancestral homeland. The Governor of Sihanoukville, Sbong Sarath, five Buddhist monks, and a crowd of approximately 60 people gathered on the pier to watch the return of the relics. The artifacts included several Buddhist sculptures from the Angkor period, which spanned from 802 until 1431 A.D.
"We’ve all spent a lot of time together since the Mercy and Kunisaki arrived on June 15 and it has been time very well spent. I am delighted that Cambodia was a destination country of the Pacific Partnership for the first time in history. I’m possibly a bit biased, but can’t think of any more deserving a country," said U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, Carol A. Rodley, at the closing ceremony. "I was also pleased to observe this cooperation between the Cambodian military, government, and local NGOs. I believe the bonds that were formed as part of Pacific Partnership will be the base upon which such relationships will grow and strengthen in the future," Ambassador Rodley added.
