530 families who were victims of typhoon Ketsana in Stung Treng Province received food aid from DPA, funded by CAFOD and CARITAS New Zealand, in December 29th, 2009.
    The offering of food aid ceremony was presided over by Mr. Mam Sambath, Executive Director of DPA, Mr. Bou Keo Sovann, the Deputy Chief of Sesan District, and H.E. Sam Mony Rangsi, Deputy President of the Agricultural Department in Stung Treng.
    In September 2009, Typhoon Ketsana struck four provinces of Cambodia: Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Ratanakiri and Stung Treng provinces. The continuous rainfall that followed in Ratanakiri and Stung Treng flooded some villages along Sesan and Sre Pok Rivers in Sesan District of Stung Treng province.

    Mr. Mam Sambath, the executive director of DPA, said “DPA has made an effort to help you all and to contribute to poverty reduction. I realized that today’s donation cannot fulfill all your needs but hopefully it can help improve your living standards. ”
    The victims of the typhoon in Stung Treng came from four communes: Kamphun, Phluk, Srekor, and Kbal Romeas communes. Each of them received 30 kilograms of mill rice, two boxes of instant noodles, canned fish, and three kinds of seed.
    Mr. Bou Keo Sovann, the Deputy Chief of Sesan District expressed his sincere thanks to DPA for cooperating with local authorities in helping the poor flood victims of Ketsana in Sesan District.
    Mr. Hueng Long, a villager from Phluk commune, said he was happy to get some donations from DPA since typhoon Ketsana had totally destroyed his one hectare of rice. All of his seed was destroyed. He will use some seed provided by DPA for next year’s planting.
    Then in December 30, 2009, DPA offered more food aid to another 351 families who were victims of Typhoon Ketsana in Ratanakiri province.
    The food aid offering ceremony was presided over by Mr. Mam Sambath, Executive Director of DPA,  the Deputy Governor of Ratanakiri, H. E. Thorng Savun, and the Deputy Chief of Ondong Meas district, Mr. Norng Darit, and other dignitaries.
    Typhoon Ketsana and the subsequent flooding damaged houses, rice, fish ponds, and cashew farms in four communes: Malik, Tra Peang Chres, Chan, and Teun communes. During the offering ceremony, each family received 30 kilograms of mill rice, one box of instant noodles, canned fish, three kinds of seed, one plate, and four spoons. Some of them received additional items, such as machetes, metal roofs, nails, and iron pots. The additional items were provided to the victims in accordance with their basic needs.