UNICEF has launched a three-day peace-building festival in Preah Vihear province to support tens of thousands of children and families still reeling from the mass displacement caused by the border violence earlier this year.
The event, held from November 21-23, marks World Children’s Day 2025 and aims to restore stability, learning and hope for communities whose lives were upended in July.
The festival — “Bonn Phum on the Move” — is being organised in partnership with provincial authorities and youth network Plerng Kob, under the theme “Together for Peace. Together for Children’s Rights”.
The initiative brings educational activities, healing spaces and child-rights awareness to a region that has endured significant disruption to essential services.
In July 2025, more than 170,000 people across four provinces, including Preah Vihear, were forced from their homes when violence broke out along the Cambodian–Thai border.
The clashes resulted in severe interruptions to health care, schooling, sanitation and shelter — with children among those most affected.
“Every child deserves protection. Every child deserves peace,” said Will Parks, UNICEF Cambodia representative.
“This year, children and families in Preah Vihear province have faced unprecedented disruption and hardship, which continue to take a toll on their mental well-being and livelihoods. We hope this event will bring opportunities, hope and a sense of normalcy to affected communities,” he added.
The festival opened with a six-kilometre “Run for Peace. Run for Children” event around the UNESCO-listed Koh Ker temple complex — a symbolic choice highlighting children’s right to safety in one of Cambodia’s most historically significant sites.
Provincial leaders, partners, young people and community members joined the launch ceremony that followed.
Across the two main festival days, UNICEF has set up “Phum UNICEF”, a temporary village at Chea Sim Tbeng Meanchey General and Technical High School.
Here, children and parents participate in games and workshops covering climate change, mental health, nutrition, road safety, child marriage prevention and early childhood education.
More than 100 young leaders from Preah Vihear are facilitating activities and sharing sessions, giving youth a prominent role in rebuilding community cohesion.
Preah Vihear is one of Cambodia’s most vulnerable provinces: 26 per cent of children under five are stunted, childhood mortality rates are among the highest nationally and more than 84 per cent of children experience violent discipline at home.
Climate risk further compounds these vulnerabilities, with over 70,000 children facing high or very high risk from environmental shocks and disasters.
UNICEF says the festival is designed not only to bring joy but also to reinforce long-term protection and resilience.
World Children’s Day, observed annually on November 20, commemorates the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
UNICEF has emphasised that this year’s celebration in Preah Vihear is a call for unity and shared responsibility in protecting children’s rights — especially in times of crisis.
As families in Preah Vihear continue to recover from displacement, the event is expected to provide both immediate relief and renewed momentum toward peace, protection and improved well-being for every child.
