Floods continue to hammer Cambodia

2011-10-16 169

Cambodia under water.
This village, like much of the country, has been swamped by the worst floodwaters in a decade.
Dozens of people here have been forced from their homes - the lucky ones escaping in motor boats, with the rest forced to paddle for safety.
(SOUNDBITE) (Khmer) 52 YEAR-OLD VILLAGER, LACH HOU, SAYING:
"Living in the flooded area like this is so difficult. It is hard to use the bathroom, moving around from place to place by this slow raft because it can not go as fast as a boat, and I do not have a boat."
Monsoon rains have triggered flooding in 17 of Cambodia's 23 provinces.
Almost 250 people have died as a result of the deluge.
But mercifully, in places like this, the waters have begun to recede.
Meanwhile on Saturday, China sent a plane full of medicine, blankets and mosquito nets to help with the relief efforts.
And another shipment is expected soon.
Andrew Raven, Reuters