Japan, UN Launch $1.3 Million Aid Project for Border-Affected Cambodians
Japan, UN Launch $1.3 Million Aid Project for Border-Affected Cambodians
PHNOM PENH, June 17, 2026 – Japan has provided an additional $1.3 million in funding to support vulnerable migrants, displaced people and communities affected by the recent Cambodia-Thailand border crisis, Cambodian officials announced on Wednesday.
The project, titled “Responding to the Immediate Needs of Vulnerable Migrants and Refugees Affected by the Cambodia-Thailand Border Crisis and Building Resilience for Future Crises,” was officially launched in Phnom Penh by Labour and Vocational Training Minister Heng Sour.
The initiative is being implemented jointly by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UN Women in cooperation with Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Heng Sour thanked the Japanese government for the additional humanitarian assistance, describing the project as a significant example of cooperation between Cambodia, Japan and the United Nations to assist vulnerable populations affected by the border situation.
He said the program aims to protect the rights and dignity of former migrant workers and at-risk communities, with particular attention given to women and girls through coordinated support from government institutions, local authorities, UN agencies and civil society organizations.
The minister noted that Cambodia had moved quickly to stabilize the situation following the border crisis. According to government figures, around 650,000 former migrant workers have secured employment, including approximately 340,000 through job-matching mechanisms coordinated by the ministry.
Authorities also established a dedicated hotline and organized nationwide job fairs and employment forums, while offering vocational education and skills training programs, including free prior-learning assessments under Cambodia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scheme.
Sandra Bernklau, acting UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia and UNFPA representative, praised the Cambodian government’s rapid response to affected communities and highlighted the importance of partnerships in ensuring that vulnerable groups are not left behind during recovery efforts.
She said the project represents not only an emergency response but also a long-term investment in strengthening resilience among vulnerable communities.
Japanese Ambassador Ueno Atsushi said the initiative builds on ongoing efforts to support former migrant workers and displaced populations, including measures focused on protecting women and children.
He expressed hope that the project would help ease hardships faced by those affected by the border crisis and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to working closely with the Cambodian government and international partners to support recovery and resilience-building efforts.
The funding comes as Cambodia continues to address the social and economic impacts of disruptions caused by tensions along its border with Thailand, while seeking to reintegrate returning workers and strengthen support systems for vulnerable communities.
