Cambodian Americans in the Washington area met on Saturday to raise funds for victims of the Nov. 22 Diamond Bridge stampede.
“We want to help victims and surviving family members through a scholarship program for children of the dead who need support for their study or survivors who need support for medical bills,” said Keo Tom, vice president of the Angkor Association, which organized the fundraiser. “We will review their applications and try our best to help.”
The bridge stampede left 353 people dead and nearly 400 injured. Some remain in the hospital. Donations have poured in since the disaster, which was one of the worst in Cambodia in decades.
Around 200 people gathered for the fundraiser at a Washington hotel, where organizers sold calendars and food to raise additional funds.
Keo Tom said the fundraising will be ongoing.
“This is not the only time,” he said. “We will continuously raise funds for the victims.”