MADEIRA BEACH, Fla.,
Dec. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- An
ecological and social disaster is taking place on, under and around
the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia. Disappearing fisheries are leading
to a dangerous departure from the traditional Cambodian diet of
fish and rice.
Upwards of 80% of Cambodians have traditionally depended on
freshwater fisheries for their diets and livelihoods. As a result
of Cambodia's declining fisheries,
major health and economic consequences are beginning to penetrate
Cambodian society, including a rapid rise in type 2 diabetes
incidence.
A combination of controversial Chinese-backed "development"
plans and unsustainable local practices are driving the urgent
decline of the most productive freshwater fisheries in the world:
the Lower Mekong River Basin and its Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia.
Recognizing the growing health and ecological disaster taking
place, Defeat Diabetes Foundation decided to take its integrated
vision of preventing the global diabetes epidemic to
Cambodia.
Speaking to fishermen at the uninspiring and unregulated fishing
village of Chnouk Tru along the Tonle Sap Lake's southeastern
banks, a consistent story unfolded: over the past 10 years, daily
catch has diminished between 70-90% and a vast range of previously
abundant species are now sparse or nonexistent. In the same port,
we openly observed the abundance of illegally caught juvenile fish,
and the small-mesh nets used to pillage them.
In and around the idyllic floating village of Kompong Luong, we
encountered illegal fishing nets set up within parts of the lake
considered off-limits for fishing during the wet season (August -
October). We spoke to fishermen whose families had for generations
earned their livings and sustenance by fishing traditionally with
bamboo traps and wide-holed nets, but who now buy pork and
processed foods since there is not enough fish to subsist
on.
Through working in-country with local fisherman, organizations
and researchers, we are building an awareness program to educate
the Cambodian people about the causes and consequences of
Cambodia's disappearing fisheries.
We aim to reach tens-to-hundreds of thousands of Cambodians,
through videos, publications and community-based initiatives that
focus on preventing and adapting to the harmful changes taking
place. View our impact program in action
https://youtu.be/WJYxpk4488k
As part of this program, we are implementing diabetes screening
and prevention campaigns at local clinics. We are stressing the
importance of traditional diets and the risks to long-term health
of the "Nutrition Transitions" taking place within Cambodian
society. According to Dr. Puth Nhoel, "The Defeat Diabetes
Foundation Global Screening and Prevention Program is very
important for Cambodian society. Diabetes is becoming much more
prevalent, caused by changing diets from fish, rice and vegetables
to highly processed foods, energy drinks and less healthy
protein."
About Defeat Diabetes Foundation: For nearly 30 years
Defeat Diabetes Foundation has supported conscious and sustainable
solutions aimed at preventing, identifying and managing diabetes.
We pride ourselves on being a transparent, community based,
certified 501 c(3) non-profit organization that is beholden to no
special interests, corporations or government entities.
DDF provides objective and progressive community-based programs,
original content, and up-to-date news and resources for existing
diabetics or those at risk. We strive to do our part in supporting
socially and environmentally conscious and sustainable solutions
for a planet and growing world population increasingly within the
clutches and consequences of globalization, urbanization and
industrialization. Through this integrated approach we fight to
accomplish our mission of Defeating Diabetes.
For more information on Defeat Diabetes Foundation, please
contact:
Name: Daniel Henryk Rasolt
Title: Program and Content Director
Email: 231091@email4pr.com
Phone: 727-391-5050
Skype: drasolt77
Website: https://defeatdiabetes.org/cambodia
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SOURCE Defeat Diabetes Foundation