After five days of intense military tension on the border between Cambodia and Thailand, the authorities of both countries have announced an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, effective from midnight on 28 July 2025. While Action Education / Aide et Action Cambodge welcomes this diplomatic breakthrough, the organisation stresses that it will only be meaningful if it is rapidly translated into concrete improvements on the ground. In this unstable climate, our emergency interventions focus on the most pressing needs - in particular those of children, women and hard-hit educational communities.

A humanitarian crisis hitting education hard

The recent clashes have led to major population displacements, the destruction of infrastructure and a direct attack on the right to education. In border areas, several schools have been closed or seriously damaged, depriving thousands of pupils of lessons. To date, 488 schools remain closed as a precautionary measure in the most affected provinces.

Teachers, often displaced or traumatised, struggle to maintain continuity in their teaching. Many refugee families no longer have the means or the conditions to send their children to school, with day-to-day survival taking precedence over any other priority. This situation reinforces the already profound inequalities in the country's rural and marginalised areas.

Samphors Vorn, Country Director, provides humanitarian aid to children displaced by the conflict, with a particular focus on emergency education. ©AE Cambodia

Children, the silent victims of the conflict

The conflict has not only interrupted education: it has exposed children to serious physical and psychological dangers. Separated from their families, witnessing violence, deprived of drinking water, care and security, they are more vulnerable to malnutrition, infectious diseases and long-term trauma. Periods of crisis also increase the risk of forced labour, early marriage and exploitation.

"Growing up in fear, without school or basic needs, leaves emotional scars that can last a lifetime", warns Samphors Vorn, Director of Cambodia.

Responding to the crisis with an emergency educational response

It is vital to act immediately to prevent an entire generation from being sacrificed. This requires rapid alternatives: the creation of temporary schools in areas of displacement, the provision of appropriate teaching materials, the training of teachers in trauma management, and the inclusion of marginalised children in remedial programmes.

Action Education is also calling for education to be fully integrated into humanitarian responses. At present, less than 3 % of the world's humanitarian aid is devoted to education - a figure that is far too low given the irreversible consequences of prolonged interruption to schooling.

In Pursat, in a camp for displaced persons, our emergency intervention focuses on creating learning spaces and providing books, to help children regain a sense of normality despite the conflict. AE Cambodia

Act quickly to restore hope

Our teams quickly distributed school kits and basic necessities. Over and above the supplies, the aim is to send out a strong signal that life can be resumed, even in the midst of crisis. With the support of our partners, we are setting up safe spaces where children can return to a learning environment, regain their confidence and rebuild their lives.

A race against time. Although the ceasefire was put in place on the night of 28-29 July, our teams had already arrived in the IDP camps on the morning of 30 July. AE Cambodia

Call to action: rebuilding with and for communities

The ceasefire opens a window of opportunity that must be seized. We call on :

• Enforcing and monitoring the agreement to guarantee the safety of civilians
• Reinforcing humanitarian aid, prioritising food, care, accommodation and psychosocial support, particularly for women and children
• Protecting civil and cultural infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and the Preah Vihear World Heritage temple
• The establishment of independent investigations into any potential violations of international humanitarian law
• Provide long-term support for the recovery of the education system, with funding earmarked for school renovation, teacher training and the introduction of inclusive programmes.

Rebuilding the future around the school

This ceasefire is a turning point, but the real work begins now. Children and education must be placed at the heart of reconstruction and reconciliation efforts. Action Education Cambodia remains committed to working alongside communities, humanitarian partners and the authorities to build a more resilient, inclusive and protective education system.