ADRA Delivers Water to Displaced Persons after Border
Fighting in Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia

When the call came to provide water for Cambodian persons displaced because of border fighting near the north central border with Thailand on February 10, 2011, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) was there. ADRA assisted over 2,488 families, all who were at the internally displaced persons camp in Tmei Commune, Preah Vihear province, by drilling three deep water wells and distributing 1,200 locally produced ceramic water filters.

The dispute between Cambodia and Thailand over the temple land resulted in several days of fighting from February 4 to 9 including some significant shelling deeper into both countries up to 20kms. After a reported 8 persons died, and 89 were wounded, up to 30,000 persons quickly moved away from the border. In Cambodia some moved up to 50-100 kms in two provinces, Preah Vihear and Siem Reap. While the two heavily armed militaries are ranged against each other on and around the 4.6-sq km (1130 acres) stretch of disputed land, the situation remains tense, although less so after UN negotiations begin on February 14 at the UN which resulted in the UN calling for a truce.

As of February 15, 2,416 families remain in an internally displaced persons camp in Tmei Commune, Preah Vihear province. Discussions with the Preah Vihear governor's office and related authorities indicate that if things remain calm, perhaps most of the families will return home soon. If fighting continues, the majority, who are new immigrants or families of soldiers, may move to home provinces to stay with family members.

When it became apparent that the situation was sustained thorough an assessment conducted of small encampments of refuges over February 9 and 10, water was identified as the key unmet need. Initial responses included providing bottled water and bringing water in trucks to fill hastily installed tanks for limited sanitation needs; however, it was not enough. Based on requests by the government and in agreement with other non government organizations helping in the emergency response, ADRA Cambodia, together with ADRA International and ADRA Asia, was able to initiate a pre-planned intervention in potable water.

Since ADRA Cambodia has been working in the Preah Vihear since 2002 and is operating a water, sanitation and agriculture project office about 100 km from the disputed area, including operating a PAT 301 drill rig which bores wells up to 50 meters deep, ADRA was uniquely qualified to meet this need. Prior to the fighting the ADRA drill rig was working at a sight only 30 kms from the internally displaced persons camp which the government set up to receive all refugees in Preah Vihear province. At the first well site on February 13 the drill, boring in solid rock, hit a large source of water able to provide immediately for over two thirds of the camp needs. Then on February 15 and 16 two additional wells were drilled, providing sufficient water for health and hygiene needs of the entire camp. Water filters were distributed as part of the package to provide pure drinking water. ADRA coordinated with the Preah Vihear Governors office, Caritas and World Vision who worked together at the internally displaced persons camp. Cambodia Adventist Mission church members volunteered and worked with ADRA staff in the distribution. The total cost of the response was valued at $15,000.