Kohkong and Siahnuak ville visit

It was all of a sudden program to visit Kohkong and Siahnukville both seaside in Cambodia during the water festival.

Until I get on one of my colleague's sister's[Cheata] friend car I didnt know the people with whom i am going.. I was introduced to Bernard [a guy who is working in UN] and Vanna [Tuk Tuk driver and guide]. so we are 4 people going to a destination which is very famous tourist spots.

[Manish, Cheata and Vanna]

[Cheata, Manish, Vanna and bernard]

Our journey started 7:00 am.. Phnom Penh [PP] traffic is horrible always so we took 35 minute to come out of PP.. The land scape on both the sides of road is mind blowing..we were crossing small river lets and greenery around..

Bernard [french guy] is a nice guy who is working on "khmer rouge" investigation and is having lots of nice story to talk. Vanna is very interesting khmer guy who has gathered good command over English as well got some good knowledge of different part of cambodia/ world.

[Bernard]

Cheata is a nice lady working with bernard in the same UN office did her studies in France [6 years] and she is a notary.. she has alot to talk to bur she felt more comfortable to talk in french so she switched to franch more often and bernard has to translate for me and vanna..

bernard volunteered to drive his car with one broken finger in right hand.

We talked alot about variety of topics on the way... we bought kites to fly on beach....

since morning.. we were really wondering . no idea where we are heading.... .... We reached to a nice place "mangrove jungle" at Kohkong.. we decided to take a boat ride thru jungle to small island... it was really fun.. the sun was too hot but the water was cool!!! it was giving us nice cool breeze ..... we had 1.5 hrs ride... by then it was already 3:00 PM...

we started inquiring about the place to stay in kohkong.. Bernard was having contacts... we used all .. the sad news was no place was empty... we decided to try our luck.. we drove over bridge.. we reached to Thailand border.. where the patch of land is a "free zone".... when we stop our car I saw mind blowing building.. it was better then palace... it was a 5star hotel... i knew it was going to be very costly.. we still tried.. they said 55 USD/night.. not bad compared to the class.. .. still there is no point in spending too much ... so we decided to go to another hotel next to it.... same case..... ... we were almost ready to spend 55..... but we thought lets give one more try.. we took turn.. 100 mt down the 5star there was a guest house.. and surprisingly we got 7 USD/night a room.. of course there was no aircondition.. the room were without windows...... fortunately they has exhaust.. :) it was definitely horrible ... so we decided to stay there one night and find another place next day.. bernard and cheata decided to go for swimming 6 am.. i decided to stay in bed for long.. i promised them to join for break fast..

It was late evening.. we wanted to touch he beach... we drove long to reach the beach.. it was almost dark.. most of the people have left.. we could see some some people walking on beach.. sun was going down... it was beautiful seen.. the sky was red ......

we flew kites.. we spend 15-20 min. and then sun set and it was dark... we left the beach and decided to nourish us with rich food..

we reach to the sea side seafood restaurant.. we had fantastic dinner.. we really enjoyed it.. we were too tired... we went to guests house and took some rest.. the 5star hotel had a casino and a night club.. we were excited to visit.... we got ready and reach there.. there was a big casino place... but no night club...and we also came to know there is no night club in vicinity either..... we got dis-hearted .. we came back.. we decided to go to another small place on beach were we could see some stalls.. most of them closed... we wanted to go to karaoke place... ... we walked.. but karaoke was almost closed.... we decided to go back.. cheata suggested to sit on beach for a while and talk.. bernard and I agreed ... we set there and talked for a while..... we came back

We had a nice breakfast.. ...we then decided to visit Vanna's uncle place and to see a patch of land.. bernard was interested to buy... it was a nice place... just on beach..... around 70000 USD. [35 mt x 100 mt].. we decided to go to safari world.. a park in Kohkong.. we wanted to see dolphin show.. but it was not in schedule.. the guard suggested to go to "crocodile show".. we rushed..... it was just started....

mind blowing.. stunning show.... i missed my heart beats many time....

there were 3 crocodile .. and 3 people in the ring.. 2 young boys and 1 girl... they were playing with croc.. two giant crock... they were pulling and pushing them... the local commentary was going on... i didnt understand but it was kind of making more exciting.. the boys put the hand [palm] in the mouth of croc.. and a swift of second he took it out before croc bite... i could hear solid sound of bite.. very hard... :).... he did it 3 times....

then the tempo was built up.... they announced that boys will put their head in the mouth of corc.... stunning... complete silence... in crowed.. hundreds of people were watching this show..... boys put the head in the mouth... my goodness!!!... then the girl.. then the boy ....... they did it thrice......

the height was when they announced that girl will put her hand in croc's mouth.. i could not stand anymore.. i walked away... to me it was complete inhuman.. i felt i should not encourage this kind of things... anways.. i could not do anything other then walking away....

-------------

finally we decided to drive to sianukville.. a famous beach in cambodia.. we reach there at 5:00 pm... we met one of the friends of bernard.. they were all french speaking.. so i enjoyed my silence for 45/60 min..

we then came to queen hill resort.. nice wooden bungalows.. i had some stomach pain.. ... we rented bunglows @ 25 USD/night...

Vanna's cousin had arranged barbecue but because of my stomach pain i excluded myself and decided to sleep for a while...

bernard and cheata came back at around 9:30.. they picked me up and we went to a nice night club.. Utopia..they had nice music.. the club was full of foreigners [known as "barang" in local language] and locals .. .. we enjoyed dancing ... 4 of us danced like hell till 1:30... we drove back and we saw another club.. we decided to join that too.. we danced again..... total fun till 2:30... came back...

morning plan was to go for swimming but bernard and cheata were not sure when /where... i slept well.. i was damn sure to go for swimming in the morning. so went on beach at around 6:45 am..

wowwww....... what a beach.. full of white send... nice shallow water... cool one.... i really went mad.... i swam for almost 1 hr.. and i saw bernard and cheata coming.. they were not in a mood to swim.. cheata took walk... bernard joined me for swiming for 5 min and we decided to go for breakfast....

The beach had series of restaurent on one side where we can find any sort of breakfast.. local, khmer, intercontinental.. we went for inter continental BF.. very good after 1 hr of swimming... then we enjoyed sun bath for quite some time.....

cheeata was busy talking to bernard in french and i was enjoying my favourite thing.. observing people.. i saw local vendors selling fruit, shawl, wrist belt, kitchen, bangles.... hell lot of items.. i saw few families.. enjoying holidays... saw kids enjoying swimming and making fun with sand and water...... saw people /kids enjoying banana boat rides.. it was fantastic morning..

we came back.. we checked out.... we went on sea side .. did kite flying for some time.... ... we went to local market for buying some items... especially cheata wanted to buy some gift for her family.... we came to a big market... she walked straight to a crab shop.. .. my god.. so many crabs tied with piece of cloth kept in water trays..... she bought kilo of crab... 6 usd/kilo.. they were alive..... she decided to boil them up as we had 4-5 hrs journey back.... we went to a shop were they helped her boiling... the process of boiling was cruel.. the guy pushed knife in the eyes of crabs and rotate ruthlessly .. the crabs shivered for a while and died... then he boiled them up ....

we were then ready to go back to PP....

cheata put the boiled crabs in dickey right behind me.... me and vanna were sitting on back seat.... .. the smell was horrible... we could not bear it... we opened the window.... some what relaxing...... still the whole car was full of boiled crab smell.. :)

we came back around 7:45 PM.. it was a fantastic journey..

I found good friends like bernard, vanna and cheata.. especially bernard is a real good person..I liked him much.

:)

Genocide museum- Toul Sleng Museum Cambodia

I visited genocide museum the local name is Toul sleng museum. which is basically a School which was concerted in prison during Khmer Rouge time 1975 -1979.

The number of prisoners tortured and killed is unknown but some rough estimate is 20000. The school is having 4 buildings A B C and D [earlier known as S.21 [Security post 21]] where high officials, govt., teachers, doctors, engineers were brought in tortured and killed.

The most inhuman act ever been documented. There is alot written on museum and number of photographs are posted on net.

I am touched alot by the evidence and trying to paste some horrific pictures over here; the only purpose is to bring the light to the most inhuman regime ever existed.

The trial of Khmer rouge rulers is still under way ; they are still not convicted; 3 out of 2 especially "pol pot" is dead.

More details can be read on:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuol_Sleng_Genocide_Museum

some more picts are :

http://images.google.com.kh/images?rlz=1C1CHMB_en-GBGB340GB340&sourceid=chrome&q=s.21+cambodia&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=2-f3SsdFwZKRBcT23LID&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQsAQwAA

1. I am with picture of the prisoner who was tied to bed and later died.

2. the picture of dead prisoner who was tied to iron bed and killed later on...

3. I am sitting on same bed [what a grim feeling!!].

4. another room with same story.

5. Security instructions to the prisoners of S.21.

6. The pole where prisoner's were hanged and introgated.

7 and 8. clothes of those prisoner's taken off before killing them.

9. they are dead

10. the iron hand-cuffs

11. Prison cells

12. Manish is imprisoned.

13. Skulls [recovered later from burial site]

Assessment findings for Kampong Thom District

[Getting ready for assessment]

General conclusion:

è The flooding is not new to Cambodia and problems related to flooding remained same over the years however this year the impact on vulnerable population is magnified due to the flood lasted longer and reached to the places where it never reached in last 15-17 years.

è The flood has aggravated the perennial-recurrent issues and this can be addressed well by long term support including some good DRR work in WATSAN sector.

è The poverty, lack of resources, poor governance, poor infrastructure and geographical disadvantaged have put this area in most vulnerable condition for past few years which is coupled with climate change as the flooding and erratic rainfall can be seen as evidence.

è The water sources are mainly River, Hand pumps, open wells and rain water harvesting structures.

è Most of the people are depended on river as a main source of water for drinking and other domestic usage for human as well as animals.

è The river carried all sorts of impurities, fecal coli forms due to human and animal excreta disposal in river, bio waste [dead animals], chemical impurities from rice field [manure residues, pesticides etc]. So water quality is extremely poor and mass population is at the risk of public health threat/ water born diseases. This issue further intensified due to poor hygiene practices.

è The reach of govt in terms of water quality related intervention is not seen on field [except in one village where ADB have joint water supply project with MoRD.] Oxfam and world vision have reached to these communities with some water filters and NFI support in recent years. So mainly the population in not well supported.

è The minimum coordination among various stack holders is observed during this assessment time.

è The latrines are not many, people do recognize the importance of the latrine but due to poverty they cant afford construction of latrines. They are living on day to day income and no spare money they have for latrines.

è The area from middle to up stream of Stung Tseng river the locations we chose are having serious arsenic and iron impurities hence the new source [well and tube wells] shall be taken with utmost care. More data collection and research shall be done in this regards.

Water Quantity:

è The water sources are mainly river, Hand pumps , open wells and rain water harvesting structures; the team hardly could see a serious problem related to quantity of water; however considering limitations of logistic, local skills, time frame, arsenic problems it is difficult to suggest for new source creation like wells and HP. We may look in to details of geo-hydrological details available for the area and then with multi stack holder we may make a call for new wells or hnad pumps where the arsenic / iron is serious concerns.

è The shallow wells and Rain water harvesting for high ground / evacuation places/schools is a good option to think of; this may serve as good evacuation place for future flooding. However this will only provide support to community during flooding conditions; the issues related to water quality during normal year remains.

è In Chrang Krahom village where we have seen broken piped water system can be taken up for repairs and ensuring safe water supply to all households.

è The place where ADB is installing water system some of the most poor family could not be connected as they have to contribure 15-16 USD [one time contribution] so we may think of providing some support to most poor/ most vulnerable in this case.

è During our visit we didn’t came across the “evacuation centre” however if it the case in other areas we can construct “Rain water harvesting structure”

Water Quality:

There are multiple suggestions for improving the quality of the water on a long term basis.

è The provision of portable domestic water filter can solve the problem to the great extent and can show us amazing results towards the Public Health improvement over long run.

è Provision of NFI for “HH safe water storage” and “handling potable water” shall be useful in this case.

è Demarcation of “drinking water” area for the village could help people to get “reasonably better water”. This shall be coupled with great community involvement and mobilization work.

è Construction of animal trough / drinking area for animal would help in reducing water contamination to some extent.

è Construction of communal bathing and toilets can further reduce the contamination.

è Construction of community water supply system [river intake, sedimentation, filtration, treatment, storage and distribution] can be the best long lasting solution in this case.

è Thru hygiene promotion we shall ensure “good water related hygiene practices”; especially “boiling water” and ‘”safe handling”.

è We may think of distribution of “halogen tablets/ chlorine tablets” to be used during “flood period”; this activity shall be coupled with hygiene promotion.

è Disinfection of wells / sources is not recommended due to high turbidity and iron/arsenic impurities problem.

è shall coordinate with MoRD/UNICEF/ MoH for the detailed report of the geo-hydrology for demarcation of area which falls under “serious” arsenic problem. Once data on hand we may look forward to abandoning the contaminated sources, creating public awareness about the “threats of arsenic” and use of those sources.

Coordination:

è The coordination in general and particularly for WATSAN is seriously lacking at district and provincial level, among iNGOs ; we can play a big role in this section.

Research:

è If there is lack of documentation on arsenic and iron impurities in the captioned area; this is the opportunity to conduct a small geo-hydrological research of the area.

Capacity building of stack-holders:

è Partners: We are having long term partners for CSPPM program so we can pace our “recovery” program and implement trru partners to see some “emergency recovery capacity” been injected in their systems and staff.

è Govt counterpart: Government is lacking capacity in terms of skills, knowledge and finance so we can think of pitching programs thru “partner” + “govt” structures to enhance the capacity building of govt. UNICEF can also be taken on board to achieve better results in this regards. We may think of organizing the technical trainings on “water quality”; providing them some “equipments” etc.

The team:

Disaster Recovery Assessment 20-25 oct 2009- village2

we completed the assessment by 1:00 and started journey to go to next vilalge..

we have to drive for 45 min or so and then 45-60 min by boat to reach to next village....Chrang khrom..

we reached to the village and it was already 3:00 pm... the communication was so terrible from our side that villager thought we are coming at 10:00 am.... so they were waiting from 10:00.. my GOD!!!!!! i was ashamed ....

the only place where we can sit and talk was the patch of broken road.. only 50-70 mt. long....

there were hundreds of villagers came to see us... it was so good to see many people but difficult to handle in FGD [focus group discussion].

infect all our team members felt the same... we digged more and found that villagers have had expectation that we may distribute some material or so.. thats why every one came ... and they also felt obligation to answer our question to make sure they are present.....

we all decided in evening that from next village we will make sure that

1. our exact time of arrival

2. max. gropu of 40-50 ppl from village

.....

there was a good FGD experience for this village too..

unfortunately females were more compared to males in group so it was no gender balanced group ......

if it was south asian country we have to ensure more women are part of FGD while here it is other way round..

-....

Disaster Recovery Assessment 20-25 oct 2009- village1

After quick NFI distribution all 3 teams got together; reflected on learnings and experiences, there was a greater need of long term program as the flood this year has lasted longer then it usually.. the typhoon KETSANA and rainfall in vietnam has aggravated the flooding condition in river Stueng Seng and Mekong.

So we decided to run a "recovery needs assessment" from 20-25 oct.

we did pre-assessment planning on 19th oct; discussed whole day about purpose/ objectives/ tools and guidelines for the assessment.

We have planned to look in to Publich Health and Food security -livelihood section for "recovery"

I was allocated for Kampong Thom District team.. with me Francis [Comms Oxfam-Quebec] , Phally [PHP-OGB], Sakha [Log-OGB], Khim [PC -OGB], Psareth [FSL- OX Aus].

We did through planning on 19th and started journey to KT [Kampong Thom] on 20th, arrived at 12;30 ..

straight on business... we got togehter and finalised our logistic plan for villages to visit and people to visit.

in the evening we visited PCDM [Provincial Council of Disaster Management] head.. he was good and explained many things to us. we requested him to send some people to join us on assessment mission.

he promised to send 3 person from MoH, MoRD, DM...

we were happy next day we had a schedule to start at 6:30 am.. it was too early for me... .. but i gathered courage and got ready by 6:20.. walked up to office.. surptisingly i was the first one.... :)

we took almost 45 min. more to gather the team.. we had two cars.. one from oxfam and one from "caritas" we had 2 people from "caritas cambodia" on board too..

we were still going around in KT town.. some one want to pack break fast.. Caritas want to fill the fuel... and other car went to pick up govt. officials..

finally govt. officials came at 8:30 am... just 2 hrs late..... so we could start our journey at 8:45..

we have had nasty road on the way.. broken, muddy, slippery.. .. our car s tucked twice...

finally we reached near to the first village..Kampong Svay and the assessment place chosen was Pagoda.. we had to take boat to go to pagoda.. 10 min. by boat...

so here we are .. in pagoda.. conducting assessment.

1. FGD [Focus Group Discussion]

2. water supply system by MoRd/ADB

3. FGD FSL [Focus Group Discussion] Food security and Livelihoon

4. Pagoda bell made from defused bomb shell

distribution of NFI 11 oct 2009

- We arrived in ST.

- Our preceding team handed over the work to us

- they completed assessment of flood emergency and planned some NFI [non food items]

- the proposal is to cover 20 villages / 1328 families with first phase NFI [1 x 80 lit plastic water container, 1 x 15 lit plastic bucket, 1 x female saron, 1 x sanitary nap pack [10 naps], 1 x plastic sheet 3.5x 4 mt, 1 x sleeping mat]

- the plan was to cover all families in 6 days time..

- i was in one of the team which was suppose to go to krabai chaum village., accompained by Bunnath, Sareth, my village [NGO name] team.

- we had to split furhter after krabaichum and Bunnath has to go to furhter down on river side village.. so 2 team has to complete NFI for 152 families in a day.

- we took 1.5 hrs to travel 40 km from ST[ stung trey] on a bumpy, muddy, village road.. crossing rivers [sekong] two time.

-- here are some picture.

1. distribution--- 2. lunch with village chief :) -- 3. distribution team :)

on the way to Stung Trey province of Cambodia

dt. 08/10

I woke up early got ready by 6:45 and on my BF table as Phally asked me to be ready by 7:00

he came by 7:15 and we started a beautiful journey to place called Stun Trey.. north east province of Cambodia where 4 river meets..

some of the picts on way:

My team and car :) bakery on way:)

First 2 days in Cambbodia

Dt. 06/10

Finally i am in cambodia.. Arrived comfortably after loooong journey.

Heathrow to Bangkok 12 hrs flight and then bangkok to Phnom Penh 1.10 hrs flight.

Oxfam Log/Adm Lady Ms. Linda was there on airport to welcome me with necessary paper to help me in my VSIA. She is very efficient, kind, intelligent and lovely lady.

She get me thru VISA/custom etc. and dropped me to hotel [Hotel Goldiana] ; on the way she briefed me nicely about many things including the security, log, program etc.

I also came to know that my counter part Mr. Johnston [PHP] already checked in and staying in the same hotel. I was excited to talk to him.

I hardly have had any motivation inside to take my dinner as i was too tired/ jet legged and already ate alot on flight ;)

I called Mr. Joshnston to come and see me in my room; he said he is coming... he took almost 1 hr ... i was getting bored and tired too....

he came and we colud talk for 40 min. or so.. very nice gentle man he is.. it was good sharing with him..

next day we had to go to office at 7:30 so promised each other to see down stair for break fast.

-----

dt. 07/10

Next day i was ready by 7:30 car came to pick us up from hotel.. Mr. Johnston had to go to field today by 4:00 pm..

I set in office.. sharing table with my national counterpart Mr. Sokrit.

Mr. George were came [HPM] came in around 8:30.. he took me around the office to get introduced.. i met most of the staff..

then we had a small humanitarian staff meeting.. country director Mr. Kiko came in and joined us for a short while..

Mr, George was too good.. he kept the things flexible and gave us whole ground to play with just one instruction/advice of "improve the quality"..

i hardly have had any better induction on type / scale of emergency... no answer to the questions like...

how we are doing? what we are doing? what are the plans????

I could only understood that OXfam was quick this time and wokring on some NFI distribution.. so oxfam team were going for assessment and distribution was following the assessment..

Mr. George could however provide me some documents to read.. which was good induction..

during the day i could pick up an issue related to "water filter" .. we are distributing the water filter but running short of stock in market...

mr, george and myself started following .. i could came to know from Ms. Linda that she is using korean type filter and it is very useful.... George could talk to HPC in vietnam..

mean while some how this issue reached to Andy [Oxford] .. and he could talk to me elaboratelly..

he promised me to follow up on the options and immediately he could. it was already end of day for me .. so i called off with a note to andy that i will be bouncing on road tomo.. almost whole day .. but please keep me posted on my yahoo account and call me if he finds more information and expects any prompt action from here..

I had a nice buddy to help me and accompany me tomorrow .. His name is Mr. Phally he is Public Health Promotor.. very nice young man..

Phally could arrange all necessary things [bag, rain-coat, mate, mosquito repellent etc ] for me.. he also could arrange my "sim card" on a prompt note..

[. it was so unfortunate that OGB PHN was running sort of cell phones and could not give me one!!.. but at least on Phally's name i could buy one SIM card.. so i am connected with rest of world!!]..

mean while with our guard I could go to Ms. Linda's house to have a look and take picture of the filtre she is using..

i called off my day around 5:45 pm..

went back and enjoyed watching tv/dozing and talking over phone.

============

I am joining OXFAM Cambodia

Ahaaa... I was so touched by Indonesia tragedy and expressed that I will go and help indonsia.. surprisingly oxfam have come up with an offer for Cambodia..

The offered profile neither goes with my current profile or my choice ...

yes.. but Andy Convinced me ; he explained the context and all..... he advised me to take up the assignment and I am going to Cambodia... ..

I hope I will enjoy work.....

I am going with positive mind...

ohh yeah i will be boarding the plane on 5th Oct :) this is just for 3 months...!!!!

Wish me luck please!!