CAFOD rushes aid to flood survivors in Cambodia

1000s of buildings have been washed away

CAFOD, Christian Aid and other agencies are working with local partners in Cambodia to support people who have been driven from their homes by catastrophic flooding. Heavy rainfall for the past month has led to devastating floods across the country. 168 are known to have died. More than 700,000 people have been affected, and huge swathes of the country are under water, throughout the north-west and along the Mekong River in central and southern Cambodia. 16 of the country’s 24 provinces have been affected, including Phnom Penh, the capital city. The floods have inundated roads, destroyed buildings and washed away crops.

The aid agencies are working with long-term partner Development and Partnership in Action (DPA) to provide immediate relief to thousands of people who have been driven from their homes. DPA are supplying food, drinking water and hygiene kits to prevent the spread of disease.

CAFOD’s Catherine Cowley said: “Although the water levels on the Mekong River are falling, bad weather upstream could cause further flooding. Inevitably in this kind of disaster, it is the poorest and most vulnerable people who are worst hit. We are supporting the efforts of the Cambodian National Committee for Disaster Management to coordinate the response - and we are keeping all those affected in our thoughts and prayers.”

We have been working in Cambodia since 1980, supporting people living with HIV and AIDS, helping communities to protect their land rights and responding to emergencies.

To donate to the emergency appeal see: www.cafod.org.uk/Give/Donate-to-Emergencies