AKP Phnom Penh, January 07, 2026 —

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister H.E. Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha on Wednesday urged authorities in Banteay Meanchey province to accelerate and better coordinate assistance for displaced people, as tens of thousands remain in temporary shelters.

H.E. Sar Sokha chaired a meeting with provincial officials to review the displacement situation and ongoing relief efforts, according to officials.

Banteay Meanchey Governor H.E. Oum Reatrey said local authorities had been monitoring developments, arranging temporary shelters and distributing food and basic supplies, with priority given to women, children and the elderly.

H.E. Sar Sokha praised local authorities and security forces for their humanitarian response but called for stronger coordination to ensure aid reaches those in need without delay. He urged officials to ensure adequate food, medicine and sanitary shelter and to resolve urgent issues quickly.

“Helping and protecting our people is our highest priority,” H.E. Sar Sokha said.

According to a statement from the Interior Ministry, citing a joint communiqué of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee meeting on Dec. 27, an additional 16,756 displaced people had returned home as of 6 a.m. on Jan. 7.

The total number of returnees has reached about 460,000 out of more than 640,000 displaced people, while 186,760 remain in camps, including 98,027 women and 61,169 children, the statement said.

By K. Rithy Reak