Humanitarian Support and Civic Initiatives in Cambodia: Canadia Group Mobilized in Support of Peace

In a context of deteriorating humanitarian conditions linked to the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, Pung Kheav Se, founder and CEO of Canadia Group, along with its two principal entities, Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC) and Canadia Investment Holding (CIH), made a donation of 3 million dollars intended to support personnel operating in border areas and displaced civilians in seven affected provinces.

A Sharply Worsening Humanitarian Context

Made on December 10, this donation comes in a context of growing humanitarian concerns, following a previous contribution of 1 million dollars given in July. Hostilities that emerged over the summer have caused significant cross-border movements, prompting the return of more than one million Cambodian migrant workers from Thailand starting in August.

The situation has further deteriorated in recent weeks, with clashes occurring since December 8 leading to the displacement of more than 400,000 people living in areas considered at risk.

A Structured and Coordinated Response

Following this new donation, Canadia Bank implemented debt relief measures for soldiers on the front lines and their beneficiaries in accordance with the directives of the National Bank of Cambodia, continuing similar initiatives launched earlier this year.

The group also reactivated the “One Khmer Fund for Peace and Sovereignty,” a fundraising fund aimed at encouraging public participation and expanding support for affected communities.

At the same time, each entity of Canadia Group launched internal fundraising campaigns and donation actions, mobilizing employees and teams across the group to strengthen the solidarity effort.

Mobilization Rooted in Local Areas

In several neighborhoods developed by OCIC — including Koh Pich, Norea City, Chroy Changvar Bay, and Tourism City — community collection points have been set up. Residents and volunteers coordinate the collection and delivery of essential goods destined for affected families and personnel operating in border areas.

This local mobilization has also been expressed through civic initiatives in support of peace. A first Run for Peace was held at Koh Pich on August 5, followed on December 17 by a second solidarity and charity run, Run for Our Heroes, bringing together more than 4,000 participants and raising 16,000 dollars around a shared message in favor of peace.

These events were organized in collaboration between OCIC, running clubs, and — for Run for Our Heroes — the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC), illustrating a collective and peaceful mobilization in the service of national unity.

Local and International Humanitarian Actions

Beyond these initiatives, blood donation campaigns, organized by NGOs in the halls of Koh Pich, allowed thousands of donors to provide vital resources to hospitals in the border provinces.

OCIC has also supported temporary educational and reading centers in refugee camps in Preah Vihear, managed by World Vision Cambodia, in order to provide displaced children with hygiene kits, educational materials, and digital resources.

Internationally, OCIC, alongside other large local groups, supported the charity concert Rise for Khmer, recently held in Paris with the participation of artists VannDa, Suzana Reth, Vanthan, Norith, and YUUHAI, raising an additional 80,000 dollars for families affected by the conflict.

A Commitment Oriented Toward Peace

In an ever-evolving context, all of these initiatives reflect a desire to accompany affected communities and support peaceful actions, in a spirit of solidarity, cohesion, and collective responsibility.