Flooding in Battambang province

Sharing some pictures here confirming the massive flooding in Battambang province due to the torrential rains over the weekend.

Mr. Chhom Sarith, our Program Manager based in Battambang province reported that 8 out of 14 districts in Battambang are flooded. Local government authorities have assisted in rescuing and relocating hundreds of families to higher, drier and safer grounds. It was also reported that many roads and bridges were damaged due to heavy rains and commuters were advised not to travel due to bad road conditions.

People are stranded due to rising floodwater, damaged roads and bridges.

Since the roads are inaccessible, our staff in Battambang could not reach our beneficiaries so we called them up one by one, via mobile phones, to see how they are doing. 16 of our beneficiaries are affected with their houses under water and their crops damaged; five of the 16 need immediate support as they are currently unemployed due to COVID-19 shutdowns and they have no available means nor sources of income.

Village houses like this are inundated due to heavy rainfalls.

We are most concerned about one of our beneficiaries who is due to deliver in a few week’s time. She lives 35kms away from the health center and, at the moment, the area is completely flooded and the roads are inaccessible. We are currently arranging for her to live in a relative's house closer to the health center. Our partner in the community, the Commune Council for Women and Children (CCWC), is assisting her.

A young mother gathers her belongings to move to a higher place.

According to this newsource, Cambodian officials said that nine provinces - Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kandal, Pailin, Pursat, Svay Rieng, and Takeo - and the capital of Phnom Penh had been affected.

We will give more updates as soon as we get the information. In the meantime, please join us in praying for the safety and well-being of the mothers and children in our Battambang office's care, as well as the thousands of families affected in the nine provinces.

We've got your back

Today, one of our social workers and our midwife in Battambang program office visited our beneficiaries in Phnom Pruk district. They were joined by our partners, the commune committee for women and children representative (CCWC) and the commune chief. The group distributed food items and hygienic supplies to our beneficiaries. They also checked on the mothers and their newborns, to see how they are doing and provide counselling on-site.

We bring food and other supplies to one of our beneficiaries as it was raining and travelling was quite a challenge.

Mother's Heart midwife teaching the young mothers about taking care of their children especially during the rainy season. Looking on (left) is a representative from the CCWC.

On top of monitoring the babies' weight, our midwife also talked to the new mothers about COVID-19, proper hygiene and sanitation especially that the rainy season is at its peak.

Thanks to all your support, especially the World Childhood foundation, we were able to keep mothers and their children safe, secure, and well-nourished.

Mother's Heart signs a new 3-year Memorandum of Understanding with the MoSAVY

Please join us in celebrating another milestone this year.

We are delighted to renew our ties with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSAVY) for another three years of cooperation.

Mother's Heart Organization Country Director Mr. Touch Sidana (right) and His Excellency Toch Channy, Director General of MoSVY, signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding in a formal ceremony held last Friday, September 26, at the Ministry's premises. Also present during the ceremony were our long-time staff, Chear Nara and Seong Sophors (backfown, 3rd and 2nd from right, respectively), and Finance Manager Ms. Suy Sokunthear (backrow, right). Well done and congratulations to everyone involved.!