Cambodia Supports Displaced Citizens Near Thai Border, Strengthens Disaster Risk Management

The Cambodian government prioritizes supporting and ensuring the safety of citizens displaced by conflict near the Thai border. Kim Virak, Vice Chairman of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), stated that caring for the well-being and living conditions of citizens displaced from border areas due to Thailand's war of aggression against Cambodia's sovereignty is one of the government's priorities. Representing First Vice Chairman H.E. Kun Kim (also Prime Minister), Mr. Kim Virak, along with his working group, visited the village of Rong Cham in Sla Kram commune, Svay Chek district, Banteay Meanchey province on the afternoon of September 8, 2026. The mission aimed to listen to and inspect the province's disaster risk management and disaster response situation with local teams and citizens. During the meeting and visit to comfort the citizens, Mr. Kim Virak expressed the Cambodian government's high concern for the safety, security, and living conditions of displaced persons who have been relocated from high-risk areas to safer locations. He emphasized that this on-site visit is not only to offer comfort and encouragement but also an opportunity for the national working group to directly hear about the challenges, needs, and requests of the citizens, as well as to examine the implementation of disaster risk management and disaster response by local authorities. Mr. Kim Virak highlighted that disaster risk management is considered a task requiring advance preparation and close cooperation from all parties, from identifying risk areas, preparing safe locations, evacuating citizens, providing initial assistance, to restoring livelihoods. He also focused on organizing and facilitating the work of the local working group to ensure that displaced citizens in safe areas receive necessary care and support, along with sufficient information about the situation and authorities' measures. Furthermore, the inspection and review of the province's risk management work underscored the importance of strengthening coordination between national and sub-national levels. Disaster response will be more effective if information is transmitted promptly, decisions are clear, and relief resources can reach citizens quickly. For Banteay Meanchey province, a border province with some areas potentially facing risks, preparedness and maintaining response capacity at the local level are crucial. Having safe locations, ready intervention teams, and citizen participation are part of mitigating impacts and protecting lives. Addressing the displaced citizens, Mr. Kim Virak continued to express his concern and encouraged them to be patient, maintain security and order, and cooperate with local authorities in implementing various safety measures. The visit by NCDM leadership to inspect local work demonstrates the close link between disaster management and citizen welfare, focusing on the principle of 'people first' and ensuring no one in difficulty is left behind. Information source: AKP Khmer