Agency follows immediate response with well drilling, water filter distribution
The humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church drilled wells and distributed more than 1,000 water filters to aid some 2,500 families displaced by recent border skirmishes between Cambodia and Thailand.
An estimated 30,000 people fled the region after clashes erupted earlier this month over a disputed 11th Century temple, killing at least 10 and wounding 89. The situation remains tense, but a truce brokered by the United Nations last week led local officials to speculate most refugees will return home shortly.
Both southeast Asian nations agreed today to allow Indonesian observers into the disputed area to avoid further violence, reports indicate.
From its regional headquarters about 60 miles from the disputed area, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Cambodia followed its initial distribution of bottled water by addressing longterm needs.
ADRA Cambodia drilled three wells near the Tmei Commune for refugees from the Preah Vihear province in northern Cambodia. The wells provided sufficient water for the health and hygiene needs of the entire camp, local ADRA officials said. The effort also included the distribution of thousands of water filters refugees can take with them when they return to their communities.
Since 2002, ADRA Cambodia has overseen a water, sanitation and agriculture project in the country.
ADRA Cambodia coordinated with the Preah Vihear governor's office, non-governmental agencies, ADRA International and ADRA Asia in the effort. Cambodian Adventist Church members volunteered to assist ADRA staff in the distribution, ADRA Cambodia said.