Oxfam in Cambodia Launches Emergency Cash Assistance for 200 Vulnerable Displaced Families in Remote Northwest

Oxfam in Cambodia and Village Support Group, one of Oxfam’s Climate Resilience for All project partners, has launched an emergency cash transfer program in early October to support 200 vulnerable families in Oddar Meanchey province. This initiative responds to the urgent humanitarian needs of communities affected by the ongoing Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, including natural forest communities in Anlong Veng and Banteay Ampil districts and Sangkat Samrong and surrounding protected areas.

A joint assessment was carried out by Village Support Group in 19 villages across 4 communes and 3 districts in Oddar Meanchey province from August 26-30, 2025. The team surveyed 499 households through interviews, home visits, and field observations, identifying 415 families in urgent need of assistance. Priority was given to those most-at-risk families 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, and HIV-positive members. 

The assessment revealed widespread destruction of property and farmland, severe livelihood disruptions, limited access to essential services, and poor sanitation among affected households. Of the 499 families interviewed, 138 had lost their jobs, most of whom were previously employed as laborers. Meanwhile, 361 families reported having unstable or irregular employment.

Oxfam and Village Support Group teams distributed emergency cash assistance directly to 200 families in need on October 2nd and 3rd, 2025. The remaining identified families were supported by other organizations. Among the 200 families, there are 49% women, 68% children, 14% elderly, and 10% people with disabilities— many of whom face compounded challenges due to mobility limitation, lack of access to healthcare, and inadequate infrastructure. Each household received US$50 in cash to help cover daily expenses, stabilize their living conditions and begin rebuilding their lives. Many expressed interests in using the money to rebuild lives though concerns remain about ongoing instability.

Ms. Sophoan Phean, National Director of Oxfam in Cambodia said, “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. 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 prioritize 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.”

Ms. Chhorvivorn Ros, Executive Director of Village Support Group, said, “This response is built on the voices of the communities themselves. We worked closely with local leaders to ensure the most vulnerable families are supported not just with cash but with clean water and sanitation.”

Mr. Phally Ros, President of the Rolous Thom Community Forestry, said, “I thank Oxfam and the Village Support Group for the cash assistance and clean water support. Before, we had no choice but to collect water from a nearby pond. It was dirty and filled with garbage. Now, with a proper clean water tank equipped with a purification system and toilet, our community feels safer and more at ease.”

This cash transfer program is part of a broader ongoing initiative. In July 2025, following the ceasefire agreement, Oxfam and Village Support Group installed 13 mobile toilets in evacuation centers and two water filtration systems at the Phnom Thmar Kambor pagoda and Bat Thkao pagoda in Oddar Meanchey province. These facilities collectively served 7,431 households benefiting a total of 25,281 displaced individuals. 

These efforts are made possible through generous financial support from the Government of Ireland and Oxfam’s own emergency funds.

Oxfam and our partners continue to call for additional support to rehabilitate livelihoods through vocational training and improved market access, and to ensure clean drinking water through both short-term distribution and long-term infrastructure solutions. This response reflects Oxfam’s broader commitment to economic justice, rights protection, and inclusive humanitarian action throughout Cambodia.