Embassy of India Phnom Penh, Indian Association Cambodia (IAC), and Indian businesses in Cambodia provided various food items and medicines to the recent flood victims of Kampong Chhnang and Battambang provinces of Cambodia. Prominent members of the Indian Association Cambodia and other business persons of the Indian community came forward to generously donate food and medicines to the affected villagers in both the provinces. Cambodia India Alumni Association (CIAA) presided by H.E. Dr. Sao Chivoan, Secretary of State of Ministry of Rural Development, and its members who are Cambodian alumni of various Indian universities and other educational institutions also contributed food items to the villagers of Kampong Chhnang province.
Flood relief donation in Kampong Chhnang province was organized at Teuk Haut Commune of Rolea Bia District in the presence of H.E. Dr. Sao Chivoan, Secretary of State of Ministry of Rural Development who represented H.E. Dr. Ouk Rabun, Minister of Rural Development, Deputy Director of Kampong Chhnang province and Mr. Yang Saovuth, Chief of Rolea Bia District.
Ambassador Dr. Devyani Khobragade expressed her deep sympathy to the flood victims and satisfaction on being part of the endeavor of the Indian community and businesses and members of Cambodian India Alumni Association to donate food to the villagers of Kampong Chhnang province. Dr. Sao Chivoan appreciated the assistance provided by the Indian community and businesses and assured his full assistance in coordination of the organization of such relief programmes in other affected provinces of Cambodia.
Deputy Governor of Kampong Chhnang province conveyed his gratitude to the Indian community and Embassy of India and said that the food assistance has come in time when the villagers needed it most. Ten village heads of the nearby villages in Teuk Haut Commune attended the relief donation ceremony. Ambassador Dr. Khobragade and her team handed over 5 tons of rice donated by Bajaj Auto, which is the largest Indian Tuk Tuk company in Cambodia, and other food items to them.
A similar flood relief donation programme was organized in Battambang province on 27th November. Before the donation of rice packets and other over the counter medicines to villagers in Sampov Lun district of Battambang, the Ambassador of India met Mr. Ngoun Ratanak, Governor of Battambang province on the previous day and handed over several packets of different medicines to him for the use of hospitals in Battambang province.
Deputy Governor of Kampong Chhnang province conveyed his gratitude to the Indian community and Embassy of India and said that the food assistance has come in time when the villagers needed it most. Ten village heads of the nearby villages in Teuk Haut Commune attended the relief donation ceremony. Ambassador Dr. Khobragade and her team handed over 5 tons of rice donated by Bajaj Auto, which is the largest Indian Tuk Tuk company in Cambodia, and other food items to them.
A similar flood relief donation programme was organized in Battambang province on 27th November. Before the donation of rice packets and other over the counter medicines to villagers in Sampov Lun district of Battambang, the Ambassador of India met Mr. Ngoun Ratanak, Governor of Battambang province on the previous day and handed over several packets of different medicines to him for the use of hospitals in Battambang province.
These medicines have been donated by the Indian pharmaceutical companies in Cambodia. Indian pharmaceutical companies have a good presence in Cambodia and in terms of volume Indian share in the Cambodian pharmaceutical sector is the highest. Governor Ngoun Ratanak warmly welcomed the newly appointed Ambassador and thanked the Embassy of India for the generous contribution of the Indian community.
He told, “Unlike last year, Battambang province is more affected this year due to the flood. 13 Communes with more than 70,000 families are worst affected.” He also gave detailed information about the relief measures taken by the government.”
Ambassador of India thanked Governor for his kind gesture and said, “On behalf of Government of India I express solidarity with people of Cambodia. This has been double jeopardy for the people as they had to suffer from the Covid pandemic and severe flood at the same time. India and Cambodia share an age-old cultural and religious link, so we can genuinely feel the pain of affected Cambodians.”
She hoped that the relief material which includes, rice, several medicines, and Covid kits donated by the Indian community, pharmaceutical companies, Sonalika Tractors, and other businesses will help Cambodians in bringing their life back on track.
She also highlighted the Government of India’s various projects for the development of Battambang and other provinces such as those in the field of irrigation and water resources, electricity transmission, 1500 water pumps, etc. At the end of the meeting, Battambang Governor highly appreciated the assistance of Indians living in Cambodia and the Embassy of India that has been provided to the hospitals and communities in the far-flung areas of Battambang province.
The flood relief donation ceremony was organized at Sampov Lun District headquarters on 27 November in the presence of H.E. Dr. Sao Chivoan and district governor of Battambang province, 4 deputy district governors, and 6 commune chiefs and representatives of the Indian community. Mr. Adarsh Kumar Mishra, Second Secretary of Indian Embassy while speaking on behalf of the Indian Ambassador thanked the Cambodian authorities for organizing the flood relief donation event and for their help that the relief reaches the affected persons in time.
He handed over the relief material which included five tons of rice and Covid kits meant for 1000 persons to local authorities for further distribution to the villagers. Local district authorities highlighted the gravity of the loss and difficulties faced by villagers of the 6 communes of Sampov Lun district and highly appreciated the assistance provided by Indians.
During her stay in Battambang, Ambassador also visited some ancient sites and temples and explored the possibility of bilateral cooperation in developing them in consultation with the provincial authorities to convert them into places of major tourist attraction in Battambang province.
Source: India in Cambodia (Embassy of India, Phnom Penh) & Photo by: Supplied
