“We could not know or predict what would happen but with strong and quick support from Caritas Cambodia and other NGOs we could prepared health service, meal, tent, clean water for the evacuated people,” said H.E Ross Sovann Deputy Secretary General of National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM).

According to NCDM, The cross-border fighting between Cambodia and Thailand has become tight again by April 22, 2011 in Oddar Meanchey province, resulting in 16,555 displaced families. The affected families needed shelters and foods.

Together with the Department of Energy and NCDM, Caritas Cambodia joined the rapid assessment of what the evacuated people need the most. The new safety area (8.80 and 15.0 ha) was set as the camp and kept as the reserve in case those affected people flee back again because of the unexpected clash.

H.E Ross Sovann told that the displaced people went back to their home in between April 29-31 as the situation became normal.

Though the people already went back to their houses, Caritas Cambodia still reserves the response for the need of Cambodian villagers including foods, 700 plastic sheets, 2,400 mobile tents and 6 water tanks (5000L/each) and other 15 water tanks (2000L/each) for the installation of water supply system. Caritas Cambodia will turn this support items to reach the affected families in their respective villages. This will followed by an assessment of recovery phase.

H.E Ross Sovann really appreciates what Caritas Cambodia and other partner NGOs have been working so hard with NCDM on the emergency relief.