SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN ACTION: IMPROVING PUBLIC SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN CAMBODIA

WORLD VISION ADVANCING CAMBODIA’S PROGRESS TOWARD UNIVERSAL WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE ACCESS

In Svay Rieng, a simple idea—connecting citizens with local authorities—has sparked a wave of transformation. Through the Social Accountability Framework (ISAF), volunteers like Keav Sothea and local leaders are rewriting the future of public services. From cleaner health centers to improved schools and transparent governance, this initiative proves that when communities speak, progress answers.

Svay Ta Yean Health Center, once plagued by poor infrastructure, low patient turnout, and weak accountability, has undergone a remarkable transformation through the Implementation of the Social Accountability Framework (I-SAF). In early 2023, under the leadership of Mr. Chan Boran and with support from STAR Kampuchea, community feedback was gathered through scorecards, interface meetings, and joint action plans, sparking major improvements in service delivery, transparency, and infrastructure. Today, the health center operates 24/7, treats patients with dignity, and actively engages with the community. Monthly patient visits have tripled, and deliveries have increased significantly. Residents praise the staff’s professionalism and kindness, while management commits to sustaining progress through continuous collaboration and accountability. What was once a struggling facility is now a trusted hub of quality healthcare and citizen engagement.

Our presence in Somalia since 1993 has enabled us to establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in the WASH sector. This includes the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR), a crucial partner, as well as other line ministries at federal, regional and state levels, the private sector, local partners, the Somalia WASH Cluster, UN agencies, and community actors. The sector’s model seamlessly integrates with other sectors to contribute to child wellbeing outcomes •WASH and health & nutrition •WASH and livelihoods •WASH and education •WASH and child protection & participation Our WASH sector is led by a multidisciplinary team of professional civil and water engineers, sanitation and hygiene specialists, M&E experts, and GIS specialists, collectively driving the sector’s vision and strategic objective

Through the Implementation of the Social Accountability Framework (ISAF), Community Accountability Facilitators across Cambodia are helping bridge the gap between citizens and public service providers. Trained by World Vision International and supported by the World Bank and development partners, these local volunteers empower communities—especially women, people with disabilities, and rural families—to voice concerns, understand their rights, and improve access to education, health, and local administrative services. Their efforts have led to tangible improvements, including shorter wait times at health centers, higher school enrollment, cleaner and safer learning environments, and stronger trust between communities and authorities—demonstrating how citizen feedback can drive better, more responsive public services.

Almost 10 Days to Leave Home: An Eyewitness Account from the Cambodia–Thailand Border

Digital Empowerment

Delivering humanitarian and development programs across Rwanda requires more than strategy and partnerships. It requires movement, often across long distances, challenging terrain, and dispersed communities. For World Vision Rwanda, vehicles are essential operational assets that enable staff to deliver programs across dispersed and often hard-to-reach communities.

Child-led report highlights how school meal feedback improved attendance, learning, and accountability in four countries