Emergency relief assistance for the victims of flood in Cambodia

Background:
Cambodia had been experiencing its worst flooding for thirty years from July to September 2000. According to the information released by Cambodian Red Cross Society, nearly 1.5 million people in seventeen provinces were affected by torrential rains and succeeding floods since July and 97 lives were lost in September 2000. Access to many isolated villages was a major problem for rescue work since most of the national roads were inundated, making them impassible by vehicle. It was anticipated that the floods would also have a serious impact on agricultural production, leaving 116,000 ha of rice paddies affected by floodwaters. Cambodia National Committee for Disaster Management estimates that US$50,000,000 would be required to rehabilitate its devastated infrastructure.

AMDA's Activities:

AMDA Headquarters dispatched various AMDA Multinational Medical Mission (AMMM) teams consisting of the following members on 28 September 2000 from AMDA Headquarters in Japan, AMDA-Cambodia, AMDA-Canada and AMDA Project Office in Myanmar for the immediate relief assistance to the victims.

The teams were tasked to assess and review the situation, identify the priority needs and coordinate relief activities with national and international emergency relief organizations. The team led by Dr. Rithy, Chairperson of AMDA-Cambodia, had several coordination meetings with Cambodian Red Cross Society, National Committee for Disaster Management and Ministry of Health of Royal Government of Cambodia. After these meetings, AMDA was requested to provide medical assistance in Kandal Province and Prey Veng Province, where the influx of the victims seeking refuge exacerbated health, hygiene and sanitation risks due to rapidly increasing population density in the areas. In Kandal Province, AMDA conducted mobile clinics in three districts, namely, Ponghear Loeur, Mok Kampoul and Kean Svay from October 2 to 5, 2000. In Prey Veng Province, AMDA provided medical assistance to isolated populations cut off from national highways in three districts, namely, Kampong Leav, Peam Ro and Pea Raing from October 5 to 9, 2000. A total number of patients treated by AMMM teams stands at 2,338 in both provinces.

Appeal for Donations:

AMDA is prepared to serve as channel for cash contribution to be used for immediate relief assistance. Contributors from Japan are requested to deposit the fund to Postal Transfer Account named AMDA, Account No. 01250-2-40709, with reference: Cambodia Flood Assistance. Foreign donors are requested to deposit their funds to Chugoku Bank, Head Office, Okayama with Account No.1219 or by using International Money Order in the name of AMDA with the following address:

AMDA
310-1 Narazu, Okayama-City, Okayama,
701-1202, Japan

This situation report is prepared based on the information released by OCHA. Further information reports are also available on the AMDA Internet Website at http://www.amda.or.jp.

For Further Information:

AMDA Headquarters
Emergency Relief Division
310-1 Narazu, Okayama 701-1202, Japan
Tel: +81-86-284-6758
FAX: +81-86-284-8959
E-mail: zaman@amda.or.jp

Person to Contact:

President: Shigeru Suganami, M.D., Ph.D.
Secretary-General: Khan M. Zaman, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Director of Emergency Relief Division: Tsukasa Konishi