Cambodia-daily articles 23-24-25 sept 2011

No accountability what so ever!!

I bought "Cheese" from Lucky supermarket [one of the best in Cambodia] on 26th july and forget to check expiry date!!

you know it was expired on 6th July!! and when I went to change I found few more expired one still in display...

upon explaining my problem the staff was blank.. no regret, no sorry... i felt like i did the mistake... I m the culprit..

they didnt want to pay me back the money instead they were asking me to buy another pc. of cheese!! with exact amount!! so they dont have to revert the entry!!!

Pathatic!!
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Please be aware if you are buying things from Lucky super market in Cambodia!! it may cost your health!!!

check the expiry date invariably!!

wish you luck for lucky!!
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with regreat,
Manish

DRR-CCA integration in SL-- EA regional learning Hinatuan-Philippines

Trip to Hinatuan [Mindanao/ Philippines ]

This field visit was organised as part of our learning [DRR/CCA integration in to livelihood program] we were suppose to see the adaptation practical example in costal system eco system.

The team leader was Meng Abarquez and other team members were Hai, dung, maria, joao, kaneka, nansiri, nipatta, mineath, manish [my self] and a climate scientist Madam Lourdes.

We were lucky to have madam Lourdes who has served Philippines climate department [weather station] for more than 35 years as one of the resources.

We were suppose to visit programs of CERD [center for empowerment, research and development] organisation.

On 30^th june morning we were all set to drive to manila airport the time given to us as 6:30 am.. we all were at the reception by 6:30 but some how hai and dung took long time so finally we decided to leave and genela promised us to send those two ladies by taxi.

Here we arrived at airport:

[sitting: from left --> Meng, Maria, Mineath::

Standing: from left --> Lourdes, Manish, Hai, Nansiri, joao, Nipatta, Kaneka:::: Pict by Dung]

The flight was around 1:30 hrs to Butuan city a city with airport facilities, we entered light and since we were up till late night and haven’t had enough sleeps we all were dozing off!! We entered aircraft and thinking we could take a small nap!! But unlike other places the aircraft was playing nice English songs but bit louder [it reminded me of Volvo travel from Ahmedabad to Rajkot],…. We could not really concentrate in sleep …..

The place took off…. I really wanted to sleep but time to time promotional announcements [over and above regular Pas] have kept us in attention…

The weather was good, we could land in Butuan on time [9.30 am].. the two wan were waiting for us to take us further 4 hrs drive to Hinatuan… the road to hinatuan was good paved road with the most beautiful greenery around!! I really enjoyed the trip… and yeah the wan driver was really interesting person he wanted to entertain us and hence he played DVD so we could enjoy audio and video both..

We stopped on way to have our lunch.. as usual I struggled to get vegetarian food..

We moved on… finally we reached to hinatuan.. really a small place but the most beautiful one…we were damn tired.. it was around 2:30 pm.. we have had orientation presentation from CERD [Mr. jack] at around 4:30.. I decided to lay down a bit after a good shower….

We were staying in Maryland inn hotel… [and yeah other group was staying in different one!!] it is really the place with bare minimum facilities, the rooms were single bed with a small cabinet and an attached toilet… the room size was 7ft x 12ft… so we can only sit on bed and the moment we get up from bed…. our one leg is already in toilet!! This was just like a cell in jail!! J

After having some good rest we reached to Jam’s café a place chosen by CERD to have presentation.. we run thru CERD presentation

about project and a fantastic presentation by maam Lourdes on climate historic data and futuristic forecast.. … it was really informative and true balance between science and social science!! Bravo maam Lourdes!!

[Madam Lourdes]

The next day we had to meet Mayor of hinatuan, visit to Doppler weather station in the morning and afternoon to travel to mahaba island.. [15 min boat trip from hinatuan]….

In the night group decided to take a small walk around the town.. it was really fun filled walk.. I felt like I became colombus…. As we proceed we kept finding various places in few meter distances.. like just near our place we found a church.. few meter ahead we were excited to see a park full with small community information center in… we kept walking … we found a bank …. We kept wondering whether it is river or sea? The local people guided us and told that this is a small alley dead end with sea.. but if want to see the sea shore.. w eshour go further left…. We decided to explore more….. so we passed by the park.. and suddenly we found the weather station at our right hand side…. We walked further and we found hinatuan bus staion.. few steps ahead a “jeepany station” [the long jeep which carries 30-35 ppl !!! one should not miss jeepany travel while in Manila!!] we walked further and we finally found the sea shore… not really a beach but kind of shore and well build protection wall around….. we moved further… kept following the road parallel to sea shore…. With a big surprise few meter down we found the municipal gym on right and police station on left… just opp to church!! We were enjoying our small expedition..

Nipatta called hinatuan “leco town”…. Some of our group members were tired so they opted to go back… few of us kept walking around…

Finally our energy went donw and we decided to go back to hotel..

Could not sleep well because of small, [non-ventilated] place!! But good enough to last for one more day!!!

1^st july…

We were all set to meet up Mr. mayor at 8:30.. we have had breakfast at Jam’s café!! The municipal hall was at walking distance…. We reached there a bit earlier… and found that it was the first day of the “DRR month” celebration …we were so excited to see school children dressed up nicely and performing.. we saw drills.. boy band…. And a fire fighter [I like the name of fire fighter “stoker”] ready to perform the fire drill…

We came to mayor’s office.. he was jam good of a person, learned, diplomatic, articulate and friendly.. we introduced ourselves and chated with him about the project and talked about climate change initiatives taken by him as LGU [local government unit]… it was such an inspiring talk and good to know that LGU have budget allocation from national budget and especially they have 10% calamity fund!! LGU seemed to be well aware and prepared about the disaster risk reduction role.. of course climate change adaptation was not really in to focus but climate related hazards and other weather forecaste was well covered..

I was impressed to know that land use planning was influenced by climate forecast and future disasters.. the municipality have stopped construction purpose land allocation in low laying areas and shifter future construction to the highland!!

[in picture with Mayor of Hinatuan Mr. Candelario J. Viola Jr.]

Our inspiring talk with Mayor came to an end!!

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We moved on to see the Doppler weather station…

Truly scientific weather station where big 18ft diameter radar is set @ 2.7 GHz 3 degree azimuth 40 second / 360 degree coverage speed.. it records multiple weather parameters, including the cloud coverage, humidity, rainfall, temperature, atmospheric pressure and many more… the station was ling=ked with PAGASA [long name for weather department of Philippines..] . the weather data recording was totally automatic .. we climed 8 floors to see the radar and recording …. It was truly eye opener, good learning and fun to see the islands around from 8^th floor!!

Here come the lunch time…. We moved back to Jam’s café!! Had our lunch and geared up to visit Mahaba island……

We set in truck.. which took us around 30-45 min ride parallel to sea where we ended up in mangroves forest.. further walk way exposed us to wide open sea.. the boat was waiting for us… we set in to boat and travelled 25 min to reach to mahaba island.. which is 215 families living in small place..

We met with women group and saw vegetable garden project.. we were curious to learn how the climate change adaptation took place but unfortunately we could not see anything like that…. it was very disappointing one… it was simply development projects marketed at “climate change adaptation”.. even the projects were poorly designed as for the vegetable garden two important ingredients solil and water were transported from another island.. and one of the major issue was the legality of the land.. we found out that community was living on the land which belongs to private owner….. finally after visiting vegetable garden

[community vegetable garden]

[Mahaba Island Community]

we came back… we stopped over in one of the main land place where we met barangay captain.. very interesting person… we were all tired….. the community was still energetic.. they wanted to show us another vegetable garden.. we visited that.. a bit better planted and maintained garden however very low paid one… women will get 110 peso [about 2.5 $ /person/ harvest] i.e. maximum 6 harvest a year… so not really a substitute or alternative livelihood… but a good effort to explore new options….

Finally we set back in truck and headed to hinatuan and took our dinner..

After our diner.. Nipatta, nansiri and myself had another night walk.. we explored few more places.. we found bank. Commercial centre, kara-oke place in near by walkable distance…. we winded up after having conversations on variety of subject including the organisational gossips!!!

2^nd july:

We have to visit cabgan island… which is 45 min travel by boat.. we all set…. Got in to boat and it was fun ride to island…

People in island seemed more organised, lively and welcoming.. we met many people including the barangay captain..

[with Barangai captain -- next to me in green Tshirt]

talked a lot about women@centre project and liked the awareness of community on women rights… we also learned that community is sincerely integrating the gender mainstreaming in the projects..howver we yet to see the climate change adaptation… we were suggested to diver in sea a bit to see the “sea weed” project.. we all set in and took a round of sea weed plantation.. it was really impressive.. we also learned about community based research [data collection on climate]

[Community based research: data collection on salinity]

… we could see that it was autonomous adaptation.. since the weather was changing and the places where they were growing the sea weed traditionally they had to move a bit further to find right environment [quality of water and temperature] for better quality sea weed production..

It was again not really a climate change adaptation good example but atleast we appreciated awareness of community on climate and rediness to adapt..

[seaweed farming - Cabgan Island]

We came back.. we had to rush for lunch…. As we have had debriefing with CERD staff..

We checked out from hotel and headed to CERD new office [6 km off hinatuan]… we have had lunch with staff and then debriefing…. We all reflected on our learnings and provided some good suggestion to CERD.

Finally the time had come for us to say bye bye to hinatuan and lovely CERD staff…. It was full of learning visit……..

We were on our way back to Manila via Butuan…..

.......... continue in Part-II of this tour.....

PS:

• Big thanks to Ms. Dung [from vietnam] for helping us in photo documentation] with out her help this article wouldn't have been so colourful!!

Thai-Cambodia Border conflict-April-May2011

alashhhh !! Humanitarian Team meeting is going on!! it is 22nd april.. the news broke out about fire-exchange between Thai and Cambodian soldiers on border in tha crom, and tha krabai villages of Oder meanchey province of cmabodia...

so we thought this is kind of soldiers play act!! which happen regularly .. they test their guns , exchange few bullets and gets silent...

so we put this on watch and continue doing our regular work..

23rd Aparil we got request from NCDM [National Committee for Disaster Management] to help them in Needs assessment, we spared Mr. Sokha [EFSL] and Mr. Sokrit [PHE] to join the assessment in OMC.. they travelled on 23rd.

24th April I have to travel to Kratie with my staff Phally [PHP], Molika [Dy. humanitrian program manager] and Gaetano [OI WASH manager] for the meeting arranged by Kratie PC Mr. Kumar.

We had to discuss the TOP proposal [which Women WASH enterprising program], bit complex in terms of implementation.

on 24th late evening I discussed the situation in details with Country director Mr. Kiko and we agreed that Molika will travel back to PNH and start working on possible response, I agreed to put together the best strategy to respond to the situation. there were already 5000 families displaced by 24th evening.. so molika worked till late night putting together the pieces of information and I worked on refining the strategy early morning 4:30 till 6;00.... we met again at 6:00 am and furhter finalise the strategy.. she started her journey back to PNH at 7:00 am..

I stayed back to help provincial team on TOP proposal implementation strategy..

25th April:

The meeting in KRT started on 25th ..

in between the fighting became intense and people from border villages started evacuating... Our assessment team was 45 km from border and they expressed the concerns about liquid security..

by 25th evening the situation got worse on border, mass evacuation started.. panic situation reported,.. CT members met and agreed to put me incharge of field operation / response... so I decided to come back to PNH on 26th by noon ... and start my journey to OMC on 27th morning..

26th April:

by the time I reached to PNH , CERT [Cambodia Emergency Response Team] already decided to meet up in after noon... we were all set to meet... before we start meeting Mr. Sokha called me that the place they are living has to be vacant [order by Army] so they are heading towards Siam reap and will operate from there....

so my plan changed.. next day i had to move to siam reap and join the "joint planning exercise" at Caritas office.. :)

I am all set, my team is Phally, Leakhean to join me to SR, where we 3 will join Sokha and Sokrit..

in the night suddenly at 10 pm I got text from regional humanitarian coordinator Mr. Simon that he will join me in SR.. he will arrive at 13:00 PM.... we agreed!!

27th April:

we started journey at 8:00 am, on the way we stopped by Kampong Thom [KPT] where Mr. Mony was loading NFI[non food items] to be sent to OMC... I am happy with promptness and cordination with in our team till this moment!!

I reached SR by 2:00 PM, rushed for meeting to catch up...

NCDM was leading meeting, with few NGOs and no Govt or UN...

They had assessment data and now they were doing joint planning...

looong discussions and hardly conclusions... we hit the sun set!! no clear /concrete plan on our hand yet....

mean while the latest figure of IDPs came from govt. we were shocked to see the numbers... there were more then 45000 people displaced.. 13 camps running in 3 district places.... chaotic situation...

Water, sanitation, food, health, hygiene, shelter needs are immense..

IDPs were leaving in pagoda or schools.... where water and sanitation facilities are limited.. rather too scare for over whelming numbers of people..

women, girls and children are exposed to all sort of threats...

out of 45000 people 60-70% were women & children..

Pictures from 28th April:

side effects of alcohol ... and remedies!!!

side effects of alcohol ... and remedies!!!



1. Symptom: Cold and humid feet.

Cause: Glass is being held at incorrect angle (You are pouring the drink on your feet).

Cure: Maneuver glass until open end is facing upward



2. Symptom: The wall facing you is full of lights.

Cause: You're lying on the floor.

Cure: Position your body at a 90-degree angle to the floor.



3. Symptom: The floor looks blurry.

Cause: You're looking through an empty glass.

Cure: Quickly refill with your favorite beverage.



4. Symptom: The floor is moving.

Cause: You're being dragged away.

Cure: At least ask where they're taking you.



5. Symptom: You hear echoes every time someone speaks.

Cause: You have your glass on your ear.

Cure: Stop making a fool of yourself!



6. Symptom: The room is shaking a lot, everyone is dressed in white and the music is very repetitive.

Cause: You're in an ambulance.

Cure: Don't move. Let the professionals do their job.



7. Symptom: Your dad and all your brothers are looking very funny.

Cause: You're in the wrong house.

Cure: Ask if they can point you to your house
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Emailed by Nilesh Suchdev:)

My Vietnam assessment experience- Oxfam East Asia blogs

My Blogs about Vietnam Experience is published on Oxfam East Asia blogs http://www.oxfamblogs.org/eastasia/?p=831

Vietnam WASH-Needs Assessment first 2 days

This is my first trip to Vietnam.. excited to see how the development took after 1975 and especially wanted to look at the most successful economic mode's ground impact, especially in central province.

26/10/10

It was normal tropical day, bit hot, brighter sunshine when i left Phnom Penh at 3:00 PM arrived 7:00 in Hanoi.. The airport is bit far from city [35 km] and it takes and hr and half to reach to central hanoi..

comfortably arrived in a nice Hotel [Hotel Ariva Eden] close to Vincom Tower and close to Oxfam office.

Wanted to have a look around the area.. so got down and walked around the vicinity.. found many "Cafe" where i could see young boys and girls sitting/ chating.. enjoying cigarette and tea/coffee.. it was fun.. to walk .. temperature was lowering down and making the walk pleasant..

Of course we notice the most are motor-bikes .. this country is flooded with mobike :) , parked at every where pedestrian can walk.. so the most ignored are pedestrian.. people are in hurry.. they dont respect pedestrians at all:) well i m sure we Asian can mange this as we have always seen crowded roads with almost every one in hurry to reach somewhere :)!!

the next day was briefing at office, bit of induction and going to airport at 2:30 to start journey to provinces.

Suddenly in the early morning i realise chilling cold !! sneak under my think blanket and waited my alarm to ring.. It was very cold morning with foggy weather... hada v.good breakfast in the hotel and started walking to office [it is only 10 min walk]....

the moment i step down the hotel.. i was taken on storm by chilling cold wind!! it was too cold!!!

and I was unprepared .. just have had oxfam sleeveless jacket:) ...

I was interoduced to my team Dung and toan.. two young and enthu people.. :)

We started 2:30 pm to go to airport!! the weather was chilling cold.. wind on top of it making it more worse.. and i was in one small jacket.. my collegue [dung -- pronounced "Zoom"] was bit more prepared.. as she has house near by she brought jacket and sweater etc..

well we reached airport.. queued up for check in... the queue was not moving at all!!! finally after 10 min. Vietnam Airlines lady came in and announced that the weather in Ha Tinh is not good, it is heavily raining and there is no ground clearance for aircraft.. so pl. wait.... we moved back.. found a good place to sit.. dung went around for a walk and buy some fruits etc.. she came back and i gave her the fort.. thought i should walk a bit and look in to situation,.... the computer showing Vinh city was blank !! no people around check-in counter.. i was curious.. finally spotted a staff in VNA.. she [in broken english] explained that flight is cancelled!!

I said what????

I walked back to Dung.. explained her situation.. she double checked!! and confirmed that BAD news is true!! I called Viet / Provas and explained the situation.. Viet promised me to get both of us on train [6 hrs journey] !!! We get in to taxi and started.. journey back to office....

finally we got train ticket confirmed... we still had some time... so Dung and I went to VINCOM shopping mall and took dinner there..

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Finally it was time to go to Railway station.. not far from office.. we arrived on time.. the departure was 9:30 PM.. we found our compartment.. the train was not much different then what we have in india.. old, smelly , dusty !!! even if it was second class A/c compartment.. :) The toilets were extremely dirty.. ..

well I had top most birth and the space was so limited that one cannot sit.. so I pulled blanket ans said good night to dung .. she was sleepy too.. the train A/c was too cold!! so as the weather..

fortunately the blanket was ok so i slept.. i knew that we will reach at 3:30 so adjusted alarm 3:15... the train was bit slow [as usual]... i woke up around 2:00.. seems train was not moving.. slept again.. woke up at 3:15... no sign of station.. try to wake Dung up and ..she opened her one eye stared at window and told me that we have not yet arrived but was not able to tell me how far we are from.. and she slept again!!! i thought.. well what ever.. let me sleep again too.. so tried hard.. could not succeed .. so kept looking out side of window.. it was dark dark!! finally 5:45 the train stopped.. i asked the guy on middle birth and he confirmed it is "vinh city"!! wow!! i started collecting my lugguge .. dung woke up but still bit sleepy and slow.. so i gave her instructions that i am going ahead.... she followed...

it was a small station.. most of the people got down at Vnh city.. we went out.. Oxfam driver was waiting for us...

finally we set !! i was too tired due to shortfall in my sleep quota for 2 nights.. thought I will sleep.. but the moment we moved on high-way.. i was completely carried away by the sceneries out side... it was amazingly beautiful ..we crossed Lam river.. and it was the most beautiful and refreshing scene.. a big river and mountains !! a cold and foggy morning!!!

I wanted to get coffee or tea.. Dung was sleepy so she drifted off!! i was enjoying mountainous ride... one side river and one side mountain..

finally 7:50 we reached to Huong Khe district.. the hotel.. i had to call Toan who was waiting for us... he came down.. welcomed us.. and told me that he has fixed up meeting with district authority [vice chairman and directors] at district centre.. so we had 10 min time to get ready for meeting.. I wanted to have tea.. .but no time..

we entered DC.. the vice chairman welcomed us... called up on other officials..

it was a good meeting.. we got some pieces of information on WASH.. and surprisingly we found that we were the first team to do WASH assessment.

--

we came to know that "father front land" [organisation] is coordinating the response .. so went up stair and met vice chairman, PH director and other office bearers..

our formal meeting lasted short, at the same time.. a policeman came to us and nominated himself to join us for assessment for my protection as i am a foreigner :) I was not comfortable but well this is how business is done here.. so accepted his help :)

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we started for first commune called Phoung Dien..

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finally at 10.00