Royal Aid and Humanitarian Mobilization: Helping Displaced Families from Border Areas

The Cambodian Red Cross (CRC), led by Samdech Kittiprittpundit Bun Rany Hun Sen, launched an emergency relief operation to support thousands of families forced to flee their homes due to ongoing tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border.​

This initiative follows a royal donation of $100,000 USD, generously offered by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, on behalf of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and the Queen Mother. The contribution reflects the Cambodian royal family’s longstanding commitment to charity and humanitarian work.

Emergency Assistance for Displaced Households

Once the donation was received, the CRC leadership immediately deployed teams to the affected areas. The first distributions reached 3,600 families staying in two of the six reception centers set up in Oddar Meanchey Province.

Each household was given essential supplies, including:

• 25 kg of rice

• Two boxes of instant noodles

• 20 cans of fish

• Six bottles of soy sauce

• Sleeping kits with a mosquito net, blanket, sarong, and a krama (traditional Cambodian scarf)

According to Mrs. Pum Chantinie, Secretary-General of the CRC, the aid was delivered without delay to meet the urgent needs of displaced families. She also conveyed heartfelt messages of compassion from Their Majesties the King and the Queen Mother, emphasizing their enduring humanitarian commitment.

Complementary Support from National Agencies and International Partners

The National Committee for Disaster Management strengthened logistical support and health monitoring at the reception centers. CDC officials from the Ministry of Health were dispatched to ensure hygiene standards and prevent disease outbreaks.

The CRC’s efforts are coordinated with international organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and other partner agencies, which assist with food distribution and protection of vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Despite ongoing tensions, tens of thousands of people have been temporarily displaced — a figure that could rise if the situation along the border deteriorates further.

Message of Solidarity and Continued Support

Samdech Bun Rany Hun Sen reaffirmed that both the authorities and the CRC will continue supporting displaced families until they can safely return to their home villages. She also highlighted the importance of caring for the physical and mental well-being of internally displaced persons.

Healthcare professionals and psychosocial support teams, working jointly with the Japanese Red Cross and the Qatar Red Crescent, have joined local staff to provide medical and mental health follow-up services in the camps.

Historical Role of the Cambodian Red Cross

Since the 1990s, the CRC has played a key role in assisting people displaced by border conflicts — for example, during clashes around the Preah Vihear temple from 2008 to 2011. Back then, CRC branches in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear distributed food, clothing, and blankets to thousands of displaced people. Collaborations with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) helped support refugees along the Cambodia–Thailand boundary.

That experience has strengthened the CRC’s capacity to respond quickly and coordinate relief efforts — a capacity now crucial to helping communities affected by today’s crisis.