Oxfam International Executive Director Calls for Urgent Support to Help Displaced Cambodian Families Rebuild Their Lives

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Cambodia, 26 October 2026_During a visit to communities displaced by the Cambodia–Thailand border conflict, Amitabh Behar, Executive Director of Oxfam International, called for urgent and sustained action to help thousands of Cambodian families safely return home, restore their livelihoods and rebuild their futures with dignity.

According to the press release from the Ministry of Interior of the Royal Government of Cambodia on 7July and 22 October 2026, approximately 625,000 displaced person have returned to their home, while 20,923 people including 10,674 women and 6,066 children remained displaced in temporary relocation sites named as “Waiting Village.” Many displaced families remain unable to return home because their homes are located in a disputed area currently occupied by Thai authorities, and because of the presence of unexploded ordnance in their village.

"We want to return home, but we still don't know when it will be safe. We have lost our income, our livestock, and much of what we worked for. Please don’t give up on us,” said Sophorn Prak through tears. The 64-year-old displaced woman can no longer walk and suffers from multiple health conditions.

During his visit to displaced communities in Oddar Meanchey province on 22 October 2026, including families at Waiting Village, Behar heard firsthand how the conflict continues to affect people’s lives long after the ceasefire. Families continue to face uncertainty about returning home, restoring their sources of income and securing a more stable future for their children.

Amitabh Behar, Executive Director of Oxfam International said, "While the ceasefire has brought hope and ended the immediate violence, the crisis is far from over for thousands of families. People want to return home, rebuild their lives, and secure a future for their children, but this will require more than emergency aid. Sustained investment in livelihoods, safe access to land, jobs, and long-term recovery support is essential so that families can return home safely and rebuild their lives with dignity."

Access to clean water is one of the most urgent needs for displaced families. Without safe drinking water, women, men and children face heightened risks of waterborne diseases, poor hygiene and deteriorating health conditions, particularly among older persons, people with disabilities and young children. Reliable access to clean water is essential to protecting health, dignity and wellbeing while families remain displaced.

According to a rapid assessment conducted by Oxfam in Cambodia and partners in October 2026 across Banteay Meanchey and Oddar Meanchey provinces, displaced families continue to face significant challenges. Many have lost their homes, livestock, farming equipment and other productive assets. Access to agricultural land remains restricted in some areas, income opportunities have declined, and uncertainty continues to undermine recovery.

Women, children, elderly, Persons with Disabilities and low-income rural households are among those most affected. Many families are struggling with depleted savings, mounting debt and limited opportunities to earn an income. Returning migrant workers and conflict-affected communities are also facing a shortage of jobs, increasing the risk of prolonged poverty.

As displaced families continue to face uncertainty, Oxfam urges national authorities, regional institutions, and development partners to sustain their support and invest in durable solutions that address immediate humanitarian needs while enabling peace, long-term recovery, resilience and dignified livelihoods.

“Recovery is not only about returning home. It is about restoring livelihoods, rebuilding local economies and ensuring that communities can move forward with security and hope. We must work together to ensure that families affected by the conflict have the support and opportunities they need to rebuild their lives,” said Behar.

During his visit to Cambodia, Behar also met with civil society partners, youth representatives, the Ministry of Environment, development partners and other key stakeholders, including representatives of the Australian Government, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and the European Union Delegation. These engagements provided opportunities to exchange perspectives, strengthen collaboration and reaffirm a shared commitment to tackling inequality, advancing climate justice and supporting inclusive and sustainable development in Cambodia.