As the Mekong River continues to rise, families across the country are being forced from their homes, including more than 100 families outside Phnom Penh.
“The water is rising too fast,” said Chea Poa, of Deum Slaing village in Meanchey district. “It has made our villagers very scared.”
One hundred fifty of the village’s 450 families have fled their houses and moved into the Chbar Ampoa pagoda in recent days.
“We have no food supply,” Chea Poa said. “We are living day by day.”
Mon Savuth moved into the pagoda five days ago with her seven children. “We are short of food,” she said, appealing to the government for help.
Em Sokleang, deputy governor of Meanchey district, said authorities have brought in temporary toilets and water, but children are still becoming ill.
The flooding has been worse in the provinces. In Kompong Cham province, thousands of hectares of crops have been damaged.
Governor Cheing Am told Reuters the provincial capital will soon be flooded if the water continues to rise.
According to the Cambodian Red Cross, more than 3,000 people throughout the country have been displaced by the flooding this year.
