Cambodians face uncertain future amidst ongoing tensions with neighboring Thailand

Displacement Camps in Cambodia Continue to Struggle Amid Ongoing Tensions

The number of people displaced by recent border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia remains high, with over 34,440 individuals currently residing in camps across the country. As of this month, 11,355 of these individuals are children.

In northwestern Cambodia, a family has been living in a Buddhist pagoda grounds for several months after fleeing their home in neighboring Thailand due to the conflict. The mother, Puth Reen, reported that her daughters have stopped attending school since moving into the camp. According to Puth Reen, life has become increasingly precarious, making it difficult for parents to encourage their children to attend classes.

The Cambodian government has provided some assistance to displaced families, including wooden stilted houses for those who are fortunate enough to be transitioning from emergency tents. However, many families continue to rely on aid donations to survive.

Tensions between the leadership in Bangkok and Phnom Penh remain high, with a tenuous ceasefire along the Thai-Cambodia border. Some areas near the border have become rallying points for nationalists, who express anger towards the Thai occupation of Cambodian territory. The use of shipping containers and barbed wire by Thai forces to block access to villages has also been a point of contention.

The long-held border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia erupted into two rounds of conflict last year, resulting in dozens of reported deaths and hundreds of thousands of civilians fleeing their homes. While a ceasefire was reached on December 27, the situation remains tense five months later.

In displacement camps, education continues for most children, but parents report that it is fragmented due to the unsettled nature of their lives. High school students often need to travel daily to attend classes in the provincial capital, approximately 15km away from the camp.

The rising cost of petrol has further exacerbated the challenges faced by displaced families, who are struggling to cope with the ongoing conflict and its impact on their daily lives.

Source: Al Jazeera