The border conflict in Cambodia has displaced over 153,000 people, mostly children, with 31,000 still living in 47 overcrowded sites, facing poor sanitation and disease risks. UN agency UNICEF is calling for contributions to support them.
It noted that over 870,000 returnees from Thailand also need urgent aid, while 94 schools and 21 health centres remain closed, impacting thousands. Against this backdrop, UNICEF Cambodia is urgently appealing for funds to address the crisis and support long-term recovery.
In an August 22 humanitarian newsletter, UNICEF explained that it requires $2.3 million to meet critical needs through June 2026, funding essential services like water, sanitation, hygiene, child protection and education for vulnerable groups, including children, adolescent girls and persons with disabilities. This support is crucial to prevent disease outbreaks and mitigate long-term harm.
It also needs further $7.67 million to sustain UNICEF’s broader country development programmes through December 2026, focusing on social protection, disability inclusion, adolescent development and systems strengthening.
Together, this funding will enable UNICEF to not only deliver emergency supplies — such as hygiene kits and learning materials for over 14,000 people — but also to restore livelihoods, repair damaged infrastructure and address trauma from repeated displacements.
“Urgent international support and flexible funding are now needed to sustain the emergency response, protect the most vulnerable — especially children, adolescent girls, women, the elderly and persons with disabilities — and prevent long-term harm,” it said.
Philanthropist can make contributions at: https://help.unicef.org/cambodia-appeal.
