Cambodia SitRep 01/2009

Typhoon Ketsana and Rainwater Floods

Geneva, October 14, 2009

Typhoon Ketsana caused major havoc in eight provinces of Cambodia on October 29 - 30, 2009. Kompong Thom Province experienced the greatest level of damage. The Provincial Committee for Disaster Management (PCDM) of Kompong Thom Province today reported that the affected population has increased from 10,684 families to more than 20,165 families. The PCDM and National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) are this week working to establish the actual number of affected people. The increased number is in line with Church World Service’s (CWS) assessment of 61 of the 254 affected villages that found 6661 families were affected by Typhoon Ketsana. CWS has conducted a joint needs assessment in 10 communes in five districts with the Cambodian Red Cross provincial branch and sub branch and with Dan Church Aid in coordination with the NCDM at district and commune level and local NGO partners from November 05-09, 2009.

Assessment and update of findings

The results of the assessment and the update are as followings:

Flood water level: the water level remains at flooding stage (ie between 0.2 metres to one metre above flood alarm level). However, water levels are receding slowly, at a rate of about 0.01 metres per day while there is no rain. Despite this, rainfalls are still frequent.

Crop damage: the prolonged flood has completely destroyed rice, vegetables and other cash crops. Neither the Government nor the UN Food and Agriculture Organization are carried out official crop damage assessments. Some villagers are now going upland to clear forest for rice plantation in the dry season. Every affected person interviewed by CWS staff is saying they will not be able to make ends meet for the rest of the month if there is no external assistance.

Food needs and income generation status: The price of vegetables and rice have doubled. For instance, runner beans cost between $0.25 - 0.35 per kg before the disaster. Yesterday, the same local bean seller says a kilogramme costs between $0.62 - 0.75. Rice and vegetable can be purchased only in provincial towns or district centres. Families with fishing materials can catch some fish for daily food consumption.

Food is desperately needed, particularly by the absolutely poor households. CWS Kompong Thom project estimates that around 20 per cent of the total affected households of the province have no rice, which is the staple diet. The other affected populations including the better off households will also face food shortages in the next 15 days. Some villagers are reportedly going into forests to dig for wild potato for daily consumption. It becomes more and more difficult to borrow rice from other villagers or lend others rice because every family needs prioritise its own consumption. Some families are forced borrow money from private lenders at high interest rates to purchase food.

Health-related issues are also flagged as requiring urgent attention. Cold, fever, stomach ache and diarrhea are increasing rapidly among communities, especially among children. These illnesses are caused by drinking contaminated water or playing in flooded water. CWS estimates around 40 to 50 per cent of children have diarrhea and are losing weight. There have been no deaths from diarrhea so far. To date, there has been no health status assessment by the Government.

Income means: As the affected people lack even basic food, migration of men to other areas in search of work has increased. Most men able to carry out labour in Sraeung commune have migrated to Kao Pramboun, a big rubber plantation 130km away. Villagers go to Kao Pramboun and stay there for five days to one month, return home and then go back to Kao Pramboun. Women and elderly people stay home to take care of the assets and children.

Children’s education: As most schools are still inundated with water, children are unable to attend school. Some roads to schools are cut off by flood waters. Many roads remain inaccessible. However, it is expected that some of the main roads in some locations, such as Sraeung commune in Brasat Sambour district will be accessible in the next week.

Assistance by non-ACT International agencies

The Cambodian Red Cross has assisted around 3000 families and plans to continue. However, the aid response is small in relation to the high number of people needing assistance in Kompong Thom province. OXFAM has distributed non-food items including plastic tents, water containers, water purifiers, soap, kettles and mosquito-nets to 1707 families and is planning to reach another 860 families. Most of the assistance is going to areas other than those they are targeting

ACT International response

The NCDM yesterday set up an information and liaison working group to lead assessments of property damage and people’s needs so response and rehabilitation work can be coordinated. CWS and other NGOs are working closely with the group at national level as well as at Kompong Thom provincial level.

The ACT International Coordinating Office expects to receive a proposal from Church World Service tomorrow for an ACT appeal in support of its response.

For further information, please contact:
ACT Programme Officer Michelle Yonetani (+4122 791 6035 / mobile +4179 285 2916)
ACT Communications Officer Tomm Kristiansen (+4179 791 6039 / mobile +41 79 358 3171)
ACT Assistant Communications Officer Sandra Cox (+4179 791 6711 / mobile +41 79 681 1868)
ACT Web Site address: http://www.act-intl.org