Reflection on flood damage Emergency Relief Funds in Battambang, Cambodia

Battambang province is one among other severely affected provinces by the heavy rains when the Sangke river was filled up with waters causing the worst floods in the region last year. Since the floods became even worst, there were 14,000 people were believed to be affected and displaced. Around 40,000 hectares of crops like corn, paddy rice and others were badly damaged. Several distrcits of Battambang like Bavel, Thmarkol, Moung Russey, Kas Kralor, Ek Phnom, Banan, and Sangke, some of which were flooded from the Tonle Sab lake and some were from Pailin mountain range, were deteriorated then. 

As the rains continued to drop amid the Covid-19 outbreak spreading around the world and as well as Cambodia, Battambang province in particular, our people even made their big lost in their family incomes who mainly depended on farming and selling their products. More interestingly, many were also indebted to some Micro Finance institutions or banks for loans. The situation was getting worst and worst every day.

Saw this, Royal Cambodian government, local NGos, religious leaders, stakeholders, and other donors from every corner of the country and other foreign partners had raised their awareness and provided urgent to the affected people and helped them out simultaneously. However, the number of the affected was high while Covid-19 was also a big concern for us. So, more aids were needed from outsiders. 

We, SBUBB, could say it was just the priceless gift that we got sponsor from all of you to support our people who were in need of this urgent help. We were so lucky to having your hands in this hard time as friends in need. After receiving your humanitarian donations, we were not delayed or frustrated, we, SBUBB, alongside local authorities started to bring this humanitarian aid to the affected. We bought many tons of rice, and other household assistance using in the kitchen like constant noodle, fish sauce, and canned fish, and then packed them into an appropriate amount by our staff. After getting exact and details about the location and number of people affected, we used our van and trucks for transportation, then we cooperated with the local authorities contributed those flood reliefs to the most suffered people from surrounding areas which they were called to gathering at safe places like public school or temple to be offered in regarding to the social distancing and preventing from Covid-19 spreading guideline. 

Though we are Buddhists, we neither made any judgement nor discriminations on races, religious beliefs, or political parties to decide whom to be offered but based on their hardships and possibilities which need help the most. We did this with our heart to recuse our people out of danger and starvation. So we were very delighted and energized to continually participate in this humanitarian task. Our staff from every office and even our volunteer​ students were also worked hard during this time. Let’s imagined, many tons of rice which needed to be packed into 20 kilos packs each and many household assistances packs.   However, everyone felt proud to contributed in this work.  We were inspired from all you who will never just keep an eye to see those who are in trouble. Hence to help them and to serve them are our duties. 

We could not express how happy the given were! Even though our assistance provided was not adequate for their family the whole year, at least they could make their living and survived during this difficult time. They looked very satisfied and hopeful to live on and fight against this hardship when they were given. It could say many of them already lost their faiths of hopes to live on because there was no way to make a living besides waiting for the aids. Luckily, they were saved from that hopeless atmosphere. They were happy with tear resemble their gratitude and thanks to the sponsors, Junto Society in particular. Heartfelt thanks! 

On behalf of Cambodian people and the given, we would love to express our gratitude and sincere thanks to JUNGTO SOCIETY in particular for your kind support and urgent humanitarian help during this hard situation. Our SBUBB’s management team, staff, and volunteers are proud and honored to be working with all of you in this task for the sake of humanity spreading love, compassion, and care for our people.