Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Date: 29 Aug 2006
The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 185 countries.
In Brief
This Bulletin is being issued for information only. The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors at this time. The Cambodian Red Cross is handling the whole operation as well as running several other ongoing programmes in the country.
The Situation
Heavy rain and strong winds have continued to affect nine provinces in Cambodia with reports of five deaths (two in Kampong Speu, west of Phnom Penh and three in Kampot). 252 homes have been flooded and 12 washed away. In all, more than 6,000 families have been evacuated; a total of almost 33,000 people. 532 families are in need of urgent assistance. Many of these are living under temporary shelter and plastic sheeting after being displaced by flooding and are suffering further. Many key routes have also been affected hampering access to those in need. Latest reports indicate water levels have receded in most flash flood areas. However, the Mekong river is now reaching, or has reached, warning levels, particularly in the southern end of the river system. Additionally, rain continues to fall. The rain has been a mixed blessing for rice farmers: some crops have been destroyed but others, which had been experiencing drought, could now be improved.
Red Cross response
Red Cross volunteers are working in partnership with authorities, including local disaster management committees. The provinces affected are: Kandal, Koh Kong, Kampot, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Battambang, Pursat, Rattanakiri, plus the municipality of Phnom Penh.
Cambodian RC has provided the following support:
- Emergency relief to 921 families in Kampot district, 1,350 families in Kg Bay district, and 667 families in Santuk and Kg. Svay districts. Assistance has included rice, noodles, and fish and soy sauce.
- In Rattanakiri, a Red Cross convoy was due to leave the warehouse today (Friday) to distribute relief to 1,234 families.
- Assessments are ongoing in several districts, including: Battambang, Banan, Koh Kong, Kg.Trach, Kg. Seila, Sre Ambel, Touk Measw and Dangtong districts.
Several evacuation sites have been established and the disaster management committee and Cambodian RC are liaising with on-site managers to keep abreast of the situation and report any developing needs. A coordination team has been established at Cambodian RC headquarters and is in touch with branch officers, the national society's logistics department as well as other partners. Boats have been used to evacuate people as well as reach others who have stayed put. In total, the national society anticipates supporting up to 7,000 families. Additional assistance will also include basic shelter, clothing and bedding. Past experience of flooding indicates evacuees may have to remain on high ground for up to eight weeks and will require support throughout that time.
The municipality of Phnom Penh city has organized relief distribution to 1,500 families in Dangkor district. Each family received 25kg of rice, soy sauce and instant noodle. Another 1,300 families are due to receive the same items soon.
For further information:
- In Phnom Penh: Men Neary Sopheak, Deputy Secretary-General; email: sopheak.MenNeary@crc.org.kh; Phone +855 23 21 28 76; mobile: +855 12 81 08 54, Fax 855 23 21 28 75;
- In Phnom Penh: Scott Tind Simmons, Federation Representative, email: scott.tindsimmons@ifrc.org; Phone: +855 12 901 400 (mobile); Fax +855 23 210 163;
- Mr Michael Annear, Federation Regional Delegation Disaster Management Unit, Bangkok, Phone: +66 26618201 ext 430, E-mail: michael.annear@ifrc.org
- Mr Bekele Geleta, Federation Head of Regional Delegation, Bangkok, Phone: +66 2661 8201 ext 100, Email: bekele.geleta@ifrc.org
- In Geneva: Gert Venghaus & Sabine Feuglet, Asia Pacific Department, Geneva, Email: gert.venghaus@ifrc.org & sabine.feuglet@ifrc.org; phone +41 22 730 4258; fax 41 22 733 0395
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org
In Brief
This Bulletin is being issued for information only. The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors at this time. The Cambodian Red Cross is handling the whole operation as well as running several other ongoing programmes in the country.
The Situation
Heavy rain and strong winds have continued to affect nine provinces in Cambodia with reports of five deaths (two in Kampong Speu, west of Phnom Penh and three in Kampot). 252 homes have been flooded and 12 washed away. In all, more than 6,000 families have been evacuated; a total of almost 33,000 people. 532 families are in need of urgent assistance. Many of these are living under temporary shelter and plastic sheeting after being displaced by flooding and are suffering further. Many key routes have also been affected hampering access to those in need. Latest reports indicate water levels have receded in most flash flood areas. However, the Mekong river is now reaching, or has reached, warning levels, particularly in the southern end of the river system. Additionally, rain continues to fall. The rain has been a mixed blessing for rice farmers: some crops have been destroyed but others, which had been experiencing drought, could now be improved.
Red Cross response
Red Cross volunteers are working in partnership with authorities, including local disaster management committees. The provinces affected are: Kandal, Koh Kong, Kampot, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Battambang, Pursat, Rattanakiri, plus the municipality of Phnom Penh.
Cambodian RC has provided the following support:
- Emergency relief to 921 families in Kampot district, 1,350 families in Kg Bay district, and 667 families in Santuk and Kg. Svay districts. Assistance has included rice, noodles, and fish and soy sauce.
- In Rattanakiri, a Red Cross convoy was due to leave the warehouse today (Friday) to distribute relief to 1,234 families.
- Assessments are ongoing in several districts, including: Battambang, Banan, Koh Kong, Kg.Trach, Kg. Seila, Sre Ambel, Touk Measw and Dangtong districts.
Several evacuation sites have been established and the disaster management committee and Cambodian RC are liaising with on-site managers to keep abreast of the situation and report any developing needs. A coordination team has been established at Cambodian RC headquarters and is in touch with branch officers, the national society's logistics department as well as other partners. Boats have been used to evacuate people as well as reach others who have stayed put. In total, the national society anticipates supporting up to 7,000 families. Additional assistance will also include basic shelter, clothing and bedding. Past experience of flooding indicates evacuees may have to remain on high ground for up to eight weeks and will require support throughout that time.
The municipality of Phnom Penh city has organized relief distribution to 1,500 families in Dangkor district. Each family received 25kg of rice, soy sauce and instant noodle. Another 1,300 families are due to receive the same items soon.
For further information:
- In Phnom Penh: Men Neary Sopheak, Deputy Secretary-General; email: sopheak.MenNeary@crc.org.kh; Phone +855 23 21 28 76; mobile: +855 12 81 08 54, Fax 855 23 21 28 75;
- In Phnom Penh: Scott Tind Simmons, Federation Representative, email: scott.tindsimmons@ifrc.org; Phone: +855 12 901 400 (mobile); Fax +855 23 210 163;
- Mr Michael Annear, Federation Regional Delegation Disaster Management Unit, Bangkok, Phone: +66 26618201 ext 430, E-mail: michael.annear@ifrc.org
- Mr Bekele Geleta, Federation Head of Regional Delegation, Bangkok, Phone: +66 2661 8201 ext 100, Email: bekele.geleta@ifrc.org
- In Geneva: Gert Venghaus & Sabine Feuglet, Asia Pacific Department, Geneva, Email: gert.venghaus@ifrc.org & sabine.feuglet@ifrc.org; phone +41 22 730 4258; fax 41 22 733 0395
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org
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