W ith the recent widespread flooding that has brought tremendous devastation to millions of peasants across Cambodia, Their Majesties the King and Queen, through the Samdech Euv Team, have directed much attention to providing immediate emergency relief to those in need. Since September 1, 2000, more than 11,700 families have been given emergency relief kits to help cope with flood-related hardships. Each package includes: 50 kilos of rice, one sarong, one krama, one mosquito net, one blanket, one pair of pants, one shirt, 10 tins of sardines, 10 packets of noodles and 50,000 Riels in cash.

For those who have come to the capital seeking help from the Royal Palace, a food package is also provided for the trip back home. Support for these efforts has come from a variety of sources including a 2,000 ton donation of rice from the Government of Vietnam, a 100 ton donation of rice from Governor Chea Sophara on behalf of the Phnom Penh Municipality, and an in-kind donation valued at $80,000 by the Government of Japan which included 5,000 mosquito nets, 5,000 blankets and 5,000 waterproof tarps. Her Majesty Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk has been particularly active in visiting flood-affected villages and distributing emergency aid. Queen Monineath's most recent trip was to Kampong Speu province on Oct 23 where 643 families were provided with emergency relief kits. Photos above show Their Majesties the King and Queen presenting aid to villagers at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.