CUHK Medical Students Deliver Humanitarian Aid in Cambodia, Witness Community Resilience
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A group of medical students from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) journeyed to Cambodia in July 2024 to participate in humanitarian aid work organized by the China Yongsheng Foundation. The students, affiliated with CUHK's Institute of Disaster and Humanitarian Relief Studies, conducted dengue fever prevention education in three remote villages and distributed emergency supplies to communities struggling with disease outbreaks and flood risks. Their experiences highlighted both the dire healthcare challenges facing rural Cambodians and the remarkable resilience and gratitude displayed by local residents.
Key Points
- CUHK medical students from the Institute of Disaster and Humanitarian Relief Studies joined the China Yongsheng Foundation for fieldwork in Cambodia during July 2024
- Cambodia has recorded over 28,000 dengue fever cases, representing a 58.1% increase compared to the previous year, with peak season running from May to October
- The team visited three remote villages, conducting interactive theatrical performances to teach dengue symptoms, risks, and flood response methods
- A total of 400 emergency supply kits containing survival blankets, flashlights, water bottles, towels, and whistles were distributed to village residents
- Students visited Kampong Speu Provincial Hospital, discovering that medical staff had spent 15 days constructing outdoor tents to accommodate patients
- The team demonstrated how to prepare oral rehydration salts using simple materials to address dehydration risks during extreme heat and flooding
Why It Matters
This fieldwork experience underscores Hong Kong's active participation in Belt and Road Initiative humanitarian efforts, demonstrating how local universities and charitable organizations contribute to public health capacity-building in developing nations . For Hong Kong medical students, such immersive international experiences cultivate cross-cultural empathy and practical disaster response skills that will shape their future careers as healthcare professionals .
This fieldwork experience underscores Hong Kong's active participation in Belt and Road Initiative humanitarian efforts, demonstrating how local universities and charitable organizations contribute to public health capacity-building in developing nations . For Hong Kong medical students, such immersive international experiences cultivate cross-cultural empathy and practical disaster response skills that will shape their future careers as healthcare professionals .