Seventy two families in Kandal province’s Rokar Khpos commune, who are living temporarily on private land in Prek Thei village, have asked the provincial authorities to build their houses as promised. They also want the authorities to supply water and electricity as there is none at the moment.
In January 2023, their houses collapsed into Prek Thei river due to flooding during the dry season. A year later, they continue to live in makeshift houses, and are forced to share bathrooms.
Prek Thei village is located 26 km from Phnom Penh to the south. The makeshift houses are built in rows with two separate bathrooms for men and women.
After one year of waiting, Kandal authorities finally granted each family a plot of land, requesting them to move there by April.
However, the families have reminded the Kandal governor to keep to his promise of constructing houses for them or at the very least give them some money to build it themselves. They also demanded for water and electricity supply, and for the drainage to be improved.
One of the villagers, Sam Born, 40, whose house collapsed into the river last year, said she is happy that the Kandal authorities gave her a plot of land but wanted the houses to be built or provide them with cash to build.
“We thank the Kandal governor for granting us the land but the area does not have a drainage system or water supply yet. Once we have a house, we would also need water and now we don’t know where to get it,” she added.
The former factory worker, who is unemployed now, said it was difficult for the villagers to live together but they have no other choice. “We have to wait while the authorities consider our request.”
Another villager, Phorn Channy, 55, said provincial and city governors promised them that they would provide villagers with land and also build the houses.
Her land measures five meters by eight meters, but she cannot move there yet as there is no infrastructure or amenities.
“We won’t go there now. There is no clean water, electricity and roads. How can we live there?” Channy asked, believing that the collapse of her house was due to sand dredging activities.
“I think that is the reason because we have been living there for decades and have never experienced it before,” said Channy, who does odd jobs in the village to sustain a living.
Another affected villager, Sum Hun, 63, echoed Channy, saying that she too cannot afford to move to the land this April, as there is nothing there.
“They granted us a plot of land but they did not give us clean water, electricity and drainage system. And, they have no houses for us. Instead, they asked us to move there. How can we go there?” she said.
Rokar Khpos, commune chief Chhoeung Chou, said he “dares not” comment on the villagers’ request, as the decision lies with the provincial authorities.
“Let us wait and see what the provincial governor tells the villagers when he meets them,” he added.
Kandal provincial governor Kong Sophorn said the authorities have prepared the land for the villagers and that they are carrying out “serious work” to help the people.
“We are connecting electricity for them, it is our duty. We are working on their requests. How can we allow them to live there without electricity and water supply?” he told CamboJA.
However, Sophorn could not commit to an exact date for the construction of the houses as the project required additional money.
“The work needs more money. What we are doing [now] is based on what we have. The important thing is that we have tried to help them,” he said.
People’s Center for Development and Peace president Yong Kim Eng said the authorities have helped the villagers but they also should speed up their action to reduce the villagers’ difficulties and consider their requests.
“In general, we have seen that the authorities have been taking care of the villagers but there are still complaints due the authorities’ delayed response to their requests,” he said.
