AKP Phnom Penh, October 2, 2026 -- Senior government officials led emergency relief operations Friday morning to distribute food supplies to 587 families displaced by severe flooding in Mongkol Borey district, as rising waters continue to wreak havoc across northwestern Cambodia.

H.E. Ke Kim Yan, Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King and lawmaker for Banteay Meanchey province, alongside his spouse Lok Chumteav Mao Malay, presided over the relief effort at a designated shelter in Borey Chey 2 Market, located in Russey Krok commune. The area has become a temporary shelter for hundreds of residents forced from their homes by fast-rising floodwaters.

Addressing the displaced families, H.E. Ke Kim Yan urged residents to remain vigilant and prioritise safety as weather conditions persist, reassuring victims that provincial and national authorities are committed to supporting impacted communities throughout the crisis. Local emergency teams, armed forces, and provincial officials continue to coordinate evacuations from high-risk zones, setting up temporary shelters and delivering essential provisions.

The relief event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Ke Suonsophy Sar Sokha, spouse of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H.E. Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha, Banteay Meanchey Governor H.E. Oum Reatrey, and H.E. Chea Chheng, Head of the Royal Government Working Group for Mongkol Borey district, alongside district administrative officials and military personnel.

The emergency distribution comes amid widespread inundation across Banteay Meanchey province. According to a disaster management report issued by the provincial committee late Thursday, flooding has displaced 3,242 families province-wide and damaged 502 road segments totaling nearly 295 kilometres.

Poipet city has been hit hardest, with 1,564 families evacuated to high ground, followed by Mongkol Borey district with 856 families and Serei Sophorn city with 771 families. Smaller numbers of evacuations were reported in O’Chrov and Phnom Srok districts.

The disaster has also dealt a heavy blow to the region’s agricultural sector, a primary source of income for rural households.

Official estimates indicate that roughly 27,000 hectares of rice fields have been affected, with 434 hectares completely destroyed. In addition, floodwaters have damaged 156 hectares of cassava and 10 hectares of mixed crops.

Provincial administrative teams and rescue units said emergency aid deliveries and shelter management operations will continue until floodwaters recede and families can safely return to their homes.

By K. Rithy Reak