Dear all,
thank you for your concern and prayers for the Dey Krahom community.
Here is a brief re-cap and update.
The situation changes daily. Recently the municipality (re)ordered the eviction of Dey Krahom, just after Christmas. The community rallied and the date came and went and nothing happened (no eviction), but the community has been very agitated, scared and angry.
Later the company and municipality offered to meet and negotiate a deal with the residents, but backed out at the last minute. In response the residents went down to city hall themselves and demanded to meet the deputy governor, Man Chouen. He met and suggested a figure of $20,000 per house or to prepare individual requests.
$20,000 is much lower than the figure the community are demanding - about $50,000, so that they can afford to purchase property within the city. The company is offereing to relocate them a long way outside of the city.
Two high profile residents who are masters of Cambodian traditional music, who are also disabled, were given $50,000 just last week, plus an extra $8000. I think the community would agree to something like that.
Peace,
Chris
