Cambodia: We Are Delivering Relief Supplies to Those Affected by the Floods

We Have Delivered Food and Non-food Items to Approximately 750 Families

AAR JAPAN has been engaging in emergency relief activities to support those affected by the floods in Cambodia. Following the first distribution on November 15^th, we distributed food and non-food items to 367 families on December 1^st and 383 families and December 8^th in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap is located north of Southeast Asia’s largest lake, Tonlé Sap Lake, and is widely known for the temple complex of Angkor Wat. Based on the accounts of the residents, the water level has risen since September and some places have flooded up about 1m high. Every year, the influx of water during the rainy season (around May to September) causes the area of Tonlé Sap Lake to significantly expand; however, we discovered that this year unlike other years, there have been cases of disastrous flooding across large areas. The rice fields that were supposed to have been harvested soon were severely damaged and consequently, the famers lost all of their rice that they had grown for 6 months. Similarly, those who rely on fishing have also been affected, as the rise in the water level has prohibited them from using fixed nets and caused them to lose their boats.

Noriyasu OKAYAMA from the Vientiane office in Laos and Tomoko SONODA from the Tokyo Headquarters office conducted damage inspection around the Tonlé Sap Lake area and distributed relief items to individuals who have not received any material support thus far. We received positive feedback as we distributed supplies such as rice, which is their staple food, and buckets that can be used for storing food. Nevertheless, we can anticipate that it is going to take a while for these people in Cambodia to recover their livelihood without basic needs such as their rice fields and fishing goods. AAR JAPAN is dedicated to continuing our distribution activities to the people in need. We thank you for your generous ongoing support.

Targeted Areas for Distribution

December 1^st                Siem Reap, Krabei Riel                      231 families

December 1^st            Siem Reap, Sambour                        136 families

December 8^th            Siem Reap, Chong Khneas                242 families

December 8^th                Siem Reap, Chreav                            141 familes

Distributed Items per Family

25kg of rice, 1 bag (1kg) of salt, 1 bottle (1L) of cooking oil, 1 bottle (1L) of soy sauce, 1 bottle (0.5L) of fish sauce^*1, 10 cans of canned fish, 1 box (50 packs) of instance noodles, 1 bag of biscuits, 1 mosquito net, 1 blanket, 4 bars of soap, 1 bag of detergent, 1 laundry bucket, 1 women’s lower garment (sarong) and 1 multi-purpose cloth (krorma) ^*2

^*1 Distributed only on December 8^th

^*2 A piece of cloth that can be used for various purposes such as wrapping around the head, hung on the shoulder, and used as a towel.

November 25^th, 2011- Noriyasu OKAYAMA (left) investigates the flood damage around Sambour.

December 8^th, 2011- People carry home the relief supplies in the village of Chong Khneas.

December 1^st, 2011- In front of the distribution center in Krabei Riel. Pictured in the bottom right is Noriyasu OKAYAMA.

December 1^st, 2011- A boy happily carries a bucket in Sambour.

December 1^st, 2011- 42 year-old Ms. Roun NAM (center) with Tomoko SONODA of the Tokyo Headquarters office. (Krabei Riel)

Ms. NAM used to own a rice patty and a vegetable field but both were destroyed in the flooding. On the field, the water rose up to her neck. “It’s normal for water to build up during the rainy season, but it’s the first time the damages on the fields have been this bad. I hadn’t received any relief supplies until you came so I’m extremely thankful for your support.”

December 1^st, 2011- 40 year-old Mr. Kot NAK (right) (Sambour)

Mr. NAK lost his left leg due to a landmine while he was in the army. He supports his family by harvesting rice and fishing with nets. The water rose up to 1m at its highest during the flooding and all of his rice plants were destroyed. The high level of water also prevented him from fishing. 

December 8^th, 2011- 47 year-old Ms. Min KHASIA (2^nd from the left) (Chong Khneas Village)

Ms. KHASIA runs a vegetable stand. Her husband (far right) is a fisherman. “The floods began in mid-September and we were unable to stay in our house. We stayed at a family member’s house with our 6 children. During the flooding, we couldn’t stock vegetables nor were we able to fish. It was a very tough time. Our fishing boat also broke. We really appreciate your support, but because we have so many kids, perhaps the supply of rice will only last about a week.”

28 year-old Ms. Sam RUN (Krabei Riel, December 6^th, 2011)

The flooding completely wiped out Ms. RUN’s rice field and her chickens drowned. Her husband went to the city to work because they can no longer support themselves through farming. “We still have lots of problems but the relief supplies have been helpful. The mosquito net and the blanket are very handy.”

* This project was made possible thanks to a grant provided by Japan Platform in addition to generous individual donations.

Noriyasu OKAYAMA, AAR JA APN Vientiane Office

Has been working in AAR JAPAN Vientiane Office since June, 2004. After graduating university, spent 2 years as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer in Bangladesh. Before joining AAR JAPAN, implemented ODA projects in Fisheries Agency, and then worked on rural development in Nepal for 5 years. (Born in Aichi Prefecture)