As with many things in life it seems that the death of Jiri Zivny may not have been what it first seemed. A report in the AsiaSentinal suggests that Jiri may have died in a motorcycle accident rather than a robbery. You can read more in this disillusioning report: Cashing in by Doing Good in Cambodia

At this point it is very difficult to know exactly what is going on but it reinforces my previous advice - “Ensure you have proper medical evacuation insurance before you go abroad. The organization you work for should be able to provide this for you. If not, you will need to pay for your own... and you should probably consider choosing another organization.”

Whatever the outcome of this incident may be my thoughts are for Ziri, a man who seems to have been struggling to turn his life around for the better.

Tags: Incident, Cambodia, News

The Canadian Aid Worker who was seriously beaten in Cambodia last week has died from his injuries. Jiri Zivny died at 5:15 p.m. local time on 15 January at Phnom Penh's Calmette hospital from injuries he sustained during a mugging.

As sad as this is it gets worse. According to CBC:

Zivny's medical insurance had expired before the attack. News of his death came as Picklyk and others were trying to raise funds to bring him back to Canada for treatment.

In other words Zivny did not have insurance to cover medical evacuation and neither did the organization he had paid 2700.00 CDN to volunteer for.

Potential aid workers take note - Ensure you have proper medical evacuation insurance before you go abroad. The organization you work for should be able to provide this for you. If not you will need to pay for your own... and you should probably consider choosing another organization.

More: B.C. aid worker dies in Cambodia

Tags: Death of aid worker, Cambodia

Jiri Zivney, a Canadian volunteer humanitarian worker with the International Humanitarian Hope Society, was beaten and robbed in Cambodia. He remains in Phnom Penh in critical condition.

Jiri was in Cambodia delivering medical supplies to Cambodian orphans as part of a humanitarian trip to China, Vietnam, Thailand and Burma. He was apparently attacked shortly after withdrawing cash from an ATM.

A trust fund has been set up for Jiri Zivny. Please make all checks payable to International Humanitarian Hope Society (a tax deductible receipts will be issued).

Valley First
100-180 Seymour Street
Kamloops BC V2C 2Es
Phone 250-374-4924

Account # 610071571
transit 27310-809

For more details go to the International Humanitarian Hope website.

Tags: Incident, Cambodia