The tension between Thailand and Cambodia over a disputed area of Preah Vihear temple and other areas along the border has overshadowed us for almost one year. Many people living along the border suffer from this potential armed conflict situation, they escaped from this military confrontation to find safe place. Three villages (Svay Chrum, Kor 1, Prasat) locate near Preah Vihear temple evacuated to Sa Em IDP camp which is about 20km far from the hot disputed area due to a sporadic fighting again on April 03, 2009.

CWS Cambodia took immediate action response to this situation to provide relief assistance to IDPs. For the accuracy and timely response to this emergency, the rapid assessments were conducted between April 20 to May 08 to find out the most needed people for this assistances.

Assessment team met with local authorities to get statistic of IDPs, and then visited and interviewed individual IDP family to verify the number and find out the gap from the previous assistance provided by other agencies and government. The assessment took quite longer than expected as the numbers provided by local authorities did not match with the actual number of people living in the camp. The team had to ensure that no one suffered from this distribution. To complicate the situation, the government is in a process of setting new resettlement village for IDPs as they can’t return to their home land anytime in the fore sable future.

After assessments and in cooperation with government authorities, 338 families were identified as most in need. An ‘Assistance Card’ was provided to families before distribution to recognize them as the most vulnerable and to avoid duplication. This number of IDPs is lower from the first assessment as the peoplein Svay Chrum village returned home after few weeks from the April 03 fighting.

On May 19, 2009, CWS Cambodia under funding support from Action by Churches Together (ACT) - International has distributed emergency aid to those families.

338 families received based on their actual size, history of previous assistance and current needs: 306 tents, 3,755 canned fish, 341 ceramic water purifiers, 450 mosquito nets, 338 mats, 676 pieces of soap, 338 packs of detergent, 527 Sarongs and kramas 283 blankets.

The distribution was held in Sa Em pagoda located about 700m from the camp, under the auspices of Mr. Ros Heng, Action District Governor, Mr. Hem Thon, Head of District Sub Branch and the Provincial Branch of Cambodian Red Cross and Commune Chief.

As peace building is a fundamental of all CWS Cambodia work, Mr. Hong Reaksmey, CWS ERP found new ways with his team to insure transparency and help curb risk of misuse. A presentation of the exact nature and quantity of help was given but the banners that explained the distribution and numbers of items that respective families would receive let everyone see what and who.

Mr. Ros Heng was proud of the CWS commitment and spirit of cooperation with the authorities as well as the process that allowed him to be accountable to his people.

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