20 September 2012 - A team from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Cambodia, Caritas, Licadho, World Vision Cambodia, Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (STT), visited two resettlement sites in Ponhea Leu district, Kandal province today to deliver water filters for 254 families.
The communities were former residents in Borei Keila and Dey Krahom who have been resettled early this year and in December 2009, respectively, at Srahpo Khang Cheung (Phnom Bat) and in Srah Poh Khang Tbong (Tang Khiev community) resettlement sites in Kandal Province approximately 50 kilometers from Phnom Penh capital.
Each family received a water filter to supply them with potable drinking water. NGO representatives assisted in organizing the distribution and coordinating with local authorities. They also held a short demonstration on the proper use of water filter.
"OHCHR is happy to assist these people so that they can enjoy their very basic rights," James Heenan, OHCHR Representative a.i. said. "With others, we will continue to monitor the situation of the evicted communities from Borei Keila and Dey Krahom. At the same time, we hope to assist relevant government authorities and the company in their efforts to resolve the situation," he added.
In January this year, around 300 families in Borei Keila, Phnom Penh were evicted and 134 families moved to Phnom Bat resettlement site. Out of these 134 relocated families, 104 have been given each a plot of land by Phan Imex Company to build their houses. The remaining 30 families continue to live in makeshift structures.