From Emergency to Endurance: Cambodia’s Humanitarian Mobilization as Border Conflict Displaces Over 400,000

As of December 17, 2025, solidarity with Cambodian refugees displaced by the border conflict with Thailand has moved well beyond symbolic gestures. It has taken the form of a full-scale humanitarian offensive. More than 400,000 people have been evacuated as fighting enters its second week, and needs are soaring—shelter, clean water, food supplies, and psychosocial support are all under acute strain.

New Dynamics on the Ground

Since December 11, the number of displacement sites has continued to rise, now exceeding 30 structured camps across at least four provinces. Severe congestion has been reported in Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, and Battambang. Testimonies relayed by international media—particularly from pregnant women fearing childbirth in overcrowded camps—underscore the extreme vulnerability of certain groups and the urgent need for sustained medical and psychological care.

Meanwhile, exchanges of gunfire and artillery fire persist on both sides of the border, even as Thai authorities work to repatriate some 6,000 nationals stranded near the closed Cambodian crossings.

Humanitarian organizations operating under the Humanitarian Response Forum (HRF) released a new situation report on December 13, highlighting the unprecedented scale of the crisis and mounting pressure on logistical capacities. The coordination framework promotes information-sharing, identification of high-risk zones, and harmonization of response standards in shelter, WASH, and protection. The Cambodian government, for its part, has reiterated through official statements that the suspension of land crossings is intended to protect civilians, while Thai communiqués accuse Phnom Penh of escalation—an illustration of the politically charged environment in which humanitarian actors are striving to remain neutral.

Economic Heavyweights: Massive Donations and Rapid Logistics

The Royal Group of Companies, a cornerstone of Cambodia’s economy, announced on December 10 a US$2 million donation through its foundation, in partnership with Wing Bank. The funds are earmarked for rice, tents, and medical supplies for 50,000 refugees across six affected provinces, with secured convoys already en route.

On December 12, Pung Kheav Se, chairman of Canadia Group, followed with a personal contribution of US$3 million, prioritizing displaced families and soldiers in Oddar Meanchey. The Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC) has also extended its commitments, enabling free transfers via ABA and Wing for the diaspora and distributing emergency kits on the ground. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how the country’s economic elite has translated pledges into concrete action within just 48 hours.​

World Vision: Scaling Up Child Protection

World Vision Cambodia has emerged as one of the central actors in recent days, significantly expanding its operations. Between December 11 and 14, its teams provided direct assistance to more than 44,600 people across 30 displacement sites, through child-friendly spaces, emergency WASH services, and the distribution of non-food items. Thirty dedicated child spaces have been established or reinforced, offering educational activities, psychosocial support, and safe environments to shield children from violence and surrounding chaos.

In parallel, 37 latrines and 19 water tanks have been installed in the camps, while 1,560 NFI kits—mosquito nets, blankets, and mats—have been distributed to the most exposed families. More than 1,200 people have participated in psychosocial awareness sessions, critical for managing anxiety, trauma, and post-traumatic stress. On December 16, World Vision issued an urgent appeal to donors and partners for immediate reinforcement, stressing that the scale of the crisis far exceeds current capacities, despite strong engagement from the government and other organizations.

Cambodian Red Cross: From Emergency to Structured Response

The Cambodian Red Cross (CRC), already highly active from the earliest days of the crisis, has formalized its response within an emergency framework supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). A dedicated humanitarian operation has been registered internationally, with the CRC stating it is “deeply concerned” by the resumption of hostilities since December 7 and the suffering of civilians. The operation focuses on the continuous provision of rice, water, essential items, and health services in major displacement areas, with plans to scale up should fighting persist.

Distributions of so-called “royal aid” are continuing and expanding. After an initial 3,600 families assisted in Oddar Meanchey, coverage is gradually aligning with figures approaching 400,000 evacuees, even though assistance still falls short of aggregate needs. The Ministries of Interior and Defense continue to coordinate evacuations, while CRC teams increasingly manage internal camp logistics, including registration, prioritization of vulnerable households, and care for some lightly injured civilians. The crisis’s listing on the Federation’s emergency platform marks a clear shift in scale: this is no longer a localized incident, but a protracted border emergency.

Education, Governance, and Targeted Support for Students

In recent days, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has also stepped to the forefront, signaling that solidarity now extends beyond life-saving assistance alone. On December 14, the ministry allocated more than US$10,000, along with school supplies, food, and other essential goods, to students, families, and teachers displaced by the fighting. The objective is to preserve a minimum level of educational continuity and prevent large-scale dropout among children cut off from their schools.

Beyond the figures, this educational intervention reflects an integrated protection approach—combining physical safety, access to education, and psychosocial support. It complements the child-friendly spaces run by World Vision, Caritas, and other NGOs, effectively creating a multi-actor child protection architecture within the camps. In terms of governance and public image, the ministry demonstrates that the state is not confined to security and health concerns alone, but is also addressing the conflict’s long-term impact on the country’s human capital.

Private Sector and Local Charities: Confirmed Generosity

Provincial authorities, particularly the governor of Oddar Meanchey, report a steady influx of new donations of food, water, and basic goods from local businesses and charitable associations. Field reports highlight distributions carried out by agribusiness firms, transport companies, and corporate foundations, complementing the already well-publicized commitments of major groups such as Royal Group and Canadia Group.

For displaced families, these contributions translate into bags of rice, cooking oil, children’s milk, and sometimes small cash envelopes to cover specific needs.

At the same time, faith-based organizations such as Caritas Cambodia continue to adapt and expand their work, focusing on psychosocial support, child-friendly spaces, and long-term trauma follow-up. In several camps, their teams operate in close coordination with World Vision and other partners to avoid duplication and target the most neglected pockets. This combination of corporate philanthropy, local charity, and faith-based NGOs deepens the response, moving beyond material aid toward a genuine commitment to the dignity of displaced people.

A Crisis Taking Root, a Solidarity Taking Shape

As clashes enter their second week, the number of evacuees is approaching or surpassing 400,000, with the upward trend continuing. The security situation remains unstable and unpredictable, according to regional live blogs and security alerts issued to foreign nationals. In this context, Cambodian solidarity has not weakened—on the contrary, it is becoming more professional, better coordinated, and increasingly oriented toward a structured response capable of enduring over time.

Prospects for a ceasefire remain uncertain despite international pressure, but civil society, the private sector, international NGOs, and public institutions continue to build a humanitarian shield around displaced families. The crisis reveals a Cambodia deeply wounded yet remarkably united, where the surge of solidarity, far from fading after the initial emotional shock, gains depth and organization with each passing day. In the camps, this commitment is reflected daily in a hot meal, an improvised classroom, a hygiene kit, or a safe play area—small victories wrested from the brutality of war.