Oxfam, Village Support Group provide emergency cash for displaced families
[Ratana Sal, one of the recipients, washes dishes using lean water from the filtration systems. She returned to the Phnom Thmor Kambor pagoda displacement camp one week ago after local authorities warned of renewed instability along the border. Naratevy Kek/Oxfam]
Oxfam in Cambodia and the Village Support Group NGO have launched an emergency cash transfer programme to support 200 vulnerable families in Oddar Meanchey province, in response to the urgent humanitarian needs of communities affected by the ongoing Cambodia-Thailand border dispute.
The recipients include members of indigenous communities in Anlong Veng and Banteay Ampil districts and Sangkat Samrong and the surrounding protected areas, according to an October 6 press release.
The NGOs’ support followed a thorough assessment of 19 villages across four communes and three districts in Oddar Meanchey province from August 26-30. A total of 499 households were interviewed, their homes were visited and 415 families were identified as in urgent need of assistance.
Priority was given to most-at-risk families; those with equity cards (ID Poor, Disability Elderly individuals), single-headed households, and families facing extreme vulnerability such as those with war-damaged homes, unusable farmland due to Thai military threats, loss of income, lack of transportation, poor access to public services or HIV-positive members.
“The assessment revealed widespread destruction of property and farmland, severe livelihood disruptions, limited access to essential services and poor sanitation among the affected households. Of the 499 families interviewed, 138 had lost their jobs, most of whom were previously employed as labourers. Meanwhile, 361 families reported having unstable or irregular employment,” said the release.
The two NGOs distributed emergency cash assistance directly to 200 families in need, while remaining identified families are being supported by other organisations. Each household received $50 in cash to help cover daily expenses, stabilise their living conditions and begin rebuilding their lives.
“This cash assistance is a lifeline for families who have lost everything, from shelter to livelihoods. The cash transfer here is not much but we hope it helps them to meet urgent needs while preserving dignity and choice. We believe that humanitarian assistance must go hand in hand with peace,” said Sophoan Phean, national director of Oxfam in Cambodia.
“The recent ceasefire offers a critical opportunity not just to stop the violence, but to restore dignity, livelihood and hope. We call on all parties to uphold the ceasefire and prioritise the rights and safety of civilians. Our commitment is clear: to support inclusive recovery, protect vulnerable groups and ensure that no one is left behind,” she added.
Chhorvivorn Ros, executive director of Village Support Group, explained that his team worked closely with local leaders to ensure the most vulnerable families are supported not just with cash but with clean water and sanitation.
“I’m keeping this money for my children in case they get sick. I don’t dare to go home. The situation isn’t like before. I’m afraid of bullets. When we came here, we had to leave everything behind, including our chickens and pigs. Now, I don’t even know how to restart our small business,” said Ratana Sal, a widow with three children from Sen Monorom 2 village, Kork Khpos commune, Banteay Ampil district.
Oxfam and Village Support Group also installed 13 mobile toilets in evacuation centres and two water filtration systems at the Phnom Thmar Kambor pagoda and Bat Thkao pagoda in Oddar Meanchey province. These facilities collectively serve 7,431 households, benefiting a total of 25,281 displaced individuals.
-The Phnom Penh Post-
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