Situation:
Cambodia is experiencing severe flooding as a result of greater-than-average rainfall caused by typhoons and other severe weather systems.
The Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers are overflowing and 16 of 24 provinces are affected by the flooding, especially those by major river courses. Flooding has also affected areas in and around the capital city of Phnom Penh.
At least 83 people have died from the floods, and more than 700,000 people have been affected in some way; 60,000 people are displaced. It is possible that these numbers will increase as the flooding season is not expected to end until late October, and may extend into early November.
CWS Response:
CWS and other members of the ACT Alliance are conducting assessments. CWS, ACT members and local partners are currently participating in joint assessments in Battambang and Banteay Meanchey provinces. Early indications are that there are gaps in water and sanitation needs, so a response is likely to focus on those.
How to Help
Contributions to support CWS emergency response efforts may be sent to your denomination or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515. Donations to our emergency response efforts around the globe may also bemade online.
Church World Service is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy.