23 April 2020

...[T]housands of survivors have fled from temporary relocation centers as conditions in the centers go from bad to worse, the displaced flood victims told RFA.

[...]

The survivors were promised compensation and relocated to the temporary shelters in designated areas in what many assumed was to be only a few months. But as their time in the centers drags on with no end in sight, some are choosing to leave.

Those who stay must bear oppressive heat, an absence of clean water, and unsanitary conditions, but those who leave must foot the bill themselves for the costs of building new homes.

[...]

RFA contacted the local government to inquire about the situation in the relocation centers.

"I admit the survivors are now having problems with water shortages, because it is the dry season right now," Bounhome Phommasane, the Sanamxay district chief, told RFA.

[...]

The district chief also said that the survivors would receive the second half of the compensation they are owed.

"We just signed an agreement with the company last Thursday. The agreement includes all the figures and numbers related to compensation," he said, adding, "Hopefully all the compensation will be paid after this COVID-19 pandemic is over."