THE SITUATION AS FAR AS WE KNOW IT
This latest outbreak of fighting between Thailand and Cambodia is affecting the whole length of the border from Tbeng Meanchey in the north-east to Ko Kong in the south-west. Around half a million innocent people have again been displaced and in desperate need of help. All the land borders are closed. This is much more extensive than the previous outbreak in August 2025 when Support Cambodia were involved in providing Emergency Food Packs for the relief effort.
Click here https://supportcambodia.org.uk/mango-autumn-2025/ to see what we did.
THE RESPONSE SO FAR?
The Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang, our charity’s chief partner in Cambodia, along with the Buddhist community, Caritas Cambodia and many other organisations, NGO’s and individuals have mobilised once again to bring support and practical assistance to those in need.
Support Cambodia are proud to again be playing [a very small part] in this relief effort. We have sent $500 from our August 2025 Appeal [ref. https://supportcambodia.org.uk/mango-autumn-2025/]
This $500 was, as before, initially intended for the area round Tampoung and Knach Romeas. But following an urgent message, our Trustees agreed it should be redirected to an area northeast of Siem Reap, near Piaksnaeng Chas [Betty’s Dressmaking Group is based here] as the need here was much greater.
This eye-witness account, sent to us by Filipino missionary, Father Totet Banayal, explains why,
“Yesterday we went with Caritas Cambodia to distribute rice to 800 families in Oddar Meanchey province, in Kuok Pagoda 60 km from the border. Sadly, the number increased to 1000 families, so we lacked 200 sacks of rice. People had nothing, not even salt. And several people have no tents to use to protect them from sun and rain.”
Fr Totet and his team are also bringing aid to the area around the ‘Jesus Farm’ where 70 families have gathered near the pagoda and another 800 families, maybe more, who have gathered at a pagoda near Taom, 60 miles south-west of the city. Taom is best known for the discovery and restoration of a beautiful “hidden church” – reputedly the oldest Catholic church in Cambodia.
Speaking today to Dr Nhor Chamrom, Manager of Pet Yiey Chee Health Centre, Battambang, there are many more refugees than before and to avoid the increasing number of air attacks, whole villages have been ordered to evacuate. “It’s very scary”, she says.“ In my hometown [Rohal ], many people have gone, the school is closed for now and in Sisophon, [15 miles from the border] they can hear the bombs!.
WHAT EMERGENCY AID IS AVAILABLE?…. AND WHAT IS NEEDED?
NGO aid from Singapore, Hong Kong and others is promised and/or on it’s way. Father Totet, “The future needs may come as the situation escalates. Only then will I know what we need in order to respond. I don’t want to ask from people and stock up on money”. Father Glenn says Tampoung/Knach Romeas have sufficient funds and the numbers are less than before.
However, visiting one of the camps this week, Dr Chamrom has identified an immediate need for formula milk for very small babies whose mums just can’t feed them.
So, as of Wednesday 17th December Support Cambodia have sent the remaining Appeal money of $500specifically to support these mums and babies.
For the rest, we will wait and see…..please be aware that, if needed, we may have to organise a SHORT, SIMPLE APPEAL for funds between Christmas and New Year.
The Trustees are very much aware that our SUPPORTERS were more than generous in giving to the August Appeal which raised over £4,900 and we are not asking those people to give again.
BUT IT IS CHRISTMAS….
*many people like to donate to charity at this time.
* you can trust Support Cambodia to use your donation for the specified purpose.
* no costs will be taken so every penny you give will help displaced families.
And in case you think this is yet another ‘war story’ from a place far away, yet another appeal for money for people you don’t know, maybe this eye-witness account from Fr Totet [who many of our SUPPORTERS know or met in East Anglia in 2024] might change your mind:
“The moment we arrived at the evacuation area, we heard the sound of a bomb exploding. As we were distributing rice, a drone was cited to be flying over the area where we were in. Then after that distribution, we heard another loud explosion nearby. People shouted run! run! We also ran to our car and as we travelled, we saw a smoke billowing from the field. The road was filled with people traveling in their romocks [tractors] and motorbikes bringing their belongings. There was heavy traffic. Later on we read from online news that a bridge was bombed just near the place where we were. We are all safe. But there is a lot of fear in the air. We are so helpless in the face of Thailand attacks on us.” – Father Totet
If you would like to help displaced families this Christmas
click on this link https://supportcambodia.org.uk/ways-to-donate/ where you will find several different ways of making a donation.
Please mark your donation ‘HELP 25’.
