By: Priscila Néri, Posted: May 7 09

Regions: Cambodia

Issues: HIV-AIDS, Housing, Internally displaced persons

Tags: Borei Kila, development induced forced displacement, Dey Krahorm, forced evictions, land grabbing, land rights, Licadho, VAW

47 families are facing imminent forced eviction from the Borei Keila community in central Phnom Penh, Cambodia - and 32 of these families are affected by HIV/AIDS.  The proposed site for resettlement of these families - Tuol Sambo - sits on a landfill 20 kilometres away and has no clean water, sanitation, electricity, or health facilities.  Despite protests from the community, local authorities have announced that the eviction will take place sometime this month.

According to WITNESS partner LICADHO, "the families will face serious public health dangers at the relocation site and, because of the distance from Phnom Penh, will have limited access to vital medical services they are currently getting."  Amnesty International reports that at least one person in each family requires access to anti-retroviral treatment and treatment for AIDS-related illnesses.  LICADHO also warns that the families will "lose prospects for income generation" if moved to such a site, away from employment in the city.

Today's featured video has just been released by LICADHO and takes us into the so-called "green shed" of Borei Kila, where these families have been living for the past two years. 

Watch more videos about forced evictions in Cambodia from LICADHO and LICADHO Canada and learn more on the Hub Blog.

ACT NOW: Send your appeal to the Cambodian government and demand that the authorities protect these families and guarantee adequate alternative housing with access to health services and to their livelihoods.