facial expressions were enough to convey the sentiments .
Ten fire engines , helped by community members along the river using their boats to pump water onto the scene , took over two hours to fully extinguish the flames that had started at around 8am on the morning of March 12 , 2023 , and had quickly spread . The remains were non-existent , everything gone . As we sat looking at the destruction I knew that these people have no luxuries like insurance , bank savings , or other properties , they could fall back on . All luxuries , that we in the West , take for granted . I could feel tears welling again , the man comforted me . Me !
Government officials had visited that day and as the villagers eagerly searched amongst the ruins each family had been given support of 50 kilograms of rice , a box of noodles , a packet of sardines , as well as soy and fish sauces . They ’ d also been handed 100,000 riels , or thirty-
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