A United Nations representative yesterday presented $70,000 to each of the families of the four Cambodian peacekeepers who were killed by a Christian militia in Central African Republic in May. Driver Im Sam, 36; quality control assistant Seang Norin, 35; excavator driver assistant Mom Tola, 31; and medical staffer Mao Eng, 37, were killed in a guerrilla attack launched by Anti-Balaka members in which a Moroccan peacekeeper also lost his life.

Claire Van der Vaeren, UN resident country coordinator, presented the compensation to the families. ‘I’m very sorry about the Cambodian peacekeepers who died, and I hope that Cambodia will [continue to] send more peacekeepers to help the UN because it helps maintain security in the world,’ she said.

Seang Saeng, a former professor at the Royal University of Phnom Penh and Norin’s father, said he will use the money to raise and support his family. Mom Theara, Tola’s brother, accepted the money for his family, although he acknowledged the funds could not bring his brother back.

‘I’m terribly sad for losing my dear brother, and I still feel that my brother is here, near me,’ he said. Cambodia plans to send 261 peacekeepers to CAR next month, while some already there will return.