Cambodia - December 9, 2014

Today, Michelle Yeoh, celebrity road safety ambassador, and Cambodian Government officials came together to support the donation of 6,652 helmets to students and teachers of six schools in Phnom Penh. The helmet donation held at Toul Svay Prey Primary School was organized by the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation, with the support of USAID’s Development Innovation Ventures (USAID-DIV) as part of the “Head Safe. Helmet On.” project. The project aims to increase helmet wearing rates, advocate for legislation to mandate and enforce helmet use for passengers, including children, and implement school-based helmet safety education programs in classrooms.

Over 3,000 attendees, including partners from the FIA Foundation/Road Safety Fund, The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), The UPS Foundation, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attended the helmet donation ceremony. His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng; Director General Mr. Saul Billingsley of FIA Foundation; Ms. Michelle Yeoh, Actress and Global Road Safety Ambassador; Dr. David Sleet, Associate Director for Science of CDC; Mr. Jeff McLean, General Manager of UPS Vietnam; Mr. Sean Callahan, USAID Cambodia Deputy Mission Director; and Mr. Greig Craft, President of AIP Foundation, were among the attendees.

His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng presented Cambodian Government Medals to supporters in testimony of the government’s gratitude for their collaboration and contribution to road safety efforts in Cambodia.

Actress Michelle Yeoh first joined the Make Roads Safe campaign in 2008 and led the Call for Decade of Action ahead of the first UN Conference on road safety in November 2009. This is Yeoh’s second visit promoting road safety in Cambodia. At the ceremony, Ms. Yeoh instructed students on proper helmet use and urged all to wear their helmets. “Although all road users are at risk on the road, motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable. In Cambodia, they make up the majority of road crash victims. Helmet-wearing is the first step—the essential step—towards preventing traffic injuries and fatalities, especially among our children. Please make sure that all motorcycle riders and passengers always wear a helmet.”