Schools and Health Centres Open at Cambodian Shelter for War-Displaced Residents

Schools and Health Centres Open at Cambodian Shelter for War-Displaced Residents

BANTEAY MEANCHEY, May 10, 2026 — Thousands of displaced Cambodian families sheltering near the Thai border have begun rebuilding daily life at temporary settlements in northwest Cambodia, where schools, health centres and small businesses are gradually becoming operational.

At a temporary shelter site in Slakram commune, Svay Chek district, authorities said nearly 3,000 displaced families are currently living in former veterans’ housing converted into emergency accommodation.

Images recorded by teams from Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) on Saturday showed residents operating small shops and businesses while public infrastructure projects at the settlement continued to expand.

The visit was coordinated by Cambodia’s Ministry of Information and Banteay Meanchey provincial administration.

According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior, more than 32,000 displaced people remained unable to return to their homes as of May 9 and were continuing to stay in temporary shelters organised by the government.

Cambodian authorities said the displacement followed border tensions and military incidents involving Thai forces after a ceasefire took effect in December 2025.

The ministry accused Thai troops of carrying out actions including laying barbed wire barriers, blocking access routes with shipping containers and damaging civilian homes in affected border villages.

The temporary settlements have become a focal point of humanitarian assistance efforts, with Cambodian authorities and local organisations working to provide housing, healthcare, education and basic services for displaced residents while uncertainty over border security continues.