As fighting continues on the Cambodia-Thailand border, with Thai airstrikes deep inside Cambodian territory, Oxfam has issued an urgent call for an immediate ceasefire and the full protection of civilians affected by the escalating hostilities.
“The violence is causing unacceptable harm, driving mass displacement and cutting off access to food, health care, education and livelihoods,” said Oxfam, in a statement released on Christmas Day, December 25.
As of today, more than 630,000 people have fled their homes and are now living in fear in sanctuaries amid airstrikes, bombardments, toxic smoke and surveillance drones.
Many of them women and children.
The NGO extended its deepest condolences to all who have lost family members and loved ones.
“The conflict has decimated civilian lives and livelihoods, destroying homes, schools, health centres, markets, bridges, infrastructure, and cultural and religious sites.
“The conflict during the agricultural harvest season is wiping out crops, threatening food security and incomes, and disrupting humanitarian operations, limiting safe access of aid workers to those in urgent need,” said the statement, while calling for an immediate ceasefire to prevent a worsening humanitarian crisis on both sides of the border.
“All parties must de-escalate tensions, uphold international humanitarian law and take effective steps to end hostilities through the implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration,” it said.
It declared that the organisation is standing in solidarity with affected communities and local partners.
“A lasting ceasefire must restore rights, rebuild lives and open space for dialogue grounded in human dignity, accountability, and peace,” it said.
Cambodia had reported 30 civilian deaths and nearly 100 wounded as of the evening of December 24. The figure is expected to increase as shelling from Thailand continues. Many civilian locations have been bombed, according to the Ministry of National Defence.
