For Fire Victims, No New Year
By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
16 April 2008
There was no new-year merriment for the hundreds of victims of a Phnom
Penh fire last week. Their homes were destroyed in the seven-hour
blaze, many of their belongings gone in smoke.
=93We used to organize for the Khmer New Year joyfully,=94 lamented Pov
Norn. =93But now we have no courage, and no way to celebrate New Year.
All our money has been destroyed.=94
Hundreds of families have built make****ft homes of blue tarpaulin in a
large field near their burned homes. A giant plastic water basin sits
in the middle of the camp.
=93We prayed for our ancestors to pardon us this year, as we cannot
organize a New Year ceremony,=94 said Um Phon, sitting in one of the
shacks. =93We prayed to them to go and see other members of the family
who have not had their homes burned.=94
At least 450 houses were destroyed in the April 11 fire, leaving 500
families without shelter. Officials have said they were unable to
fight the blaze because narrow roads prevented their trucks from
reaching the homes.
=93We regret this, but we will help them as much as we possibly can,=94
said Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Man Chhoeurn.
Authorities are looking for a way to rebuild a village for the
victims, he said, adding that the new site would have wider roads.
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