PHNOM PENH, Jan. 19 — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Cambodia and local telco SMART Axiata have partnered to support children affected by recent border conflicts with Thailand, said a joint press release on Monday.
The one-year emergency initiative aimed at protecting the health and education of thousands of children and mothers affected by the conflict, the press release said, adding that at its peak, the conflict displaced more than 600,000 Cambodian people, including over 200,000 children and 300,000 women, across seven provinces.
Will Parks, UNICEF representative to Cambodia, said when a crisis struck, children were always the most vulnerable.
He said the partnership “ensures that even during a crisis, children can continue learning and receive the nutrition they need to survive and thrive.”
According to the press release, the initiative will identify and address malnutrition among over 10,000 children under five through rapid nutrition screening, provide treatment for acute malnutrition, and deliver counseling to more than 9,500 caregivers on infant and young child feeding practices during emergencies.
It will provide home learning packages for 2,000 primary students and early childhood development kits for 5,000 young children in temporary shelters, ensuring safe spaces for play and learning, the press release added.
“Through our partnership with UNICEF Cambodia, we are helping children continue learning and receive the nutrition and protection they urgently need,” said Ritesh Kumar Singh, CEO of Smart Axiata.
“No child should ever be left behind.” Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an immediate ceasefire on Dec. 27, 2025, after three weeks of armed conflict, which caused casualties on both sides.
According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior on Monday, some 510,000 Cambodian displaced villagers have returned to their homes so far, as 133,070 displaced persons remain in displacement camps. (Namibia Daily News/Xinhua)
