Phnom penh: Minister of Information H.E. Neth Pheaktra has issued a call for heightened attention to the situation of more than 6,000 Cambodian children who remain displaced due to the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, emphasizing the need for their safe return to homes and schools.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Neth Pheaktra highlighted in a Facebook post on September 9 that while humanitarian assistance can alleviate some suffering, it cannot substitute for the homes, schools, and normal lives that these children are entitled to. His remarks came after a visit to a displacement site in Preah Vihear province by H.E. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, and Ms. Kyung-nan Park, Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP). The WFP is currently providing breakfast and supporting temporary education for displaced children at the site.

H.E. Neth Pheaktra acknowledged the contributions of the WFP, the people of Japan, and other partners in supporting the affected children and families. However, he pointed out that such humanitarian efforts only address the aftermath rather than the root causes that prevent displaced families from returning home. He noted the deprivation faced by 6,066 Cambodian children who lack their homes, schools, and communities, emphasizing that temporary solutions should not become permanent fixtures.

The Minister urged Thailand to adhere to Paragraph 4 of the December 27, 2025 Joint Statement, which mandates the safe and dignified return of displaced civilians. He expressed concerns over obstacles such as barriers, barbed wire, and military presence, which hinder access to residential areas and disrupt normal life.

H.E. Neth Pheaktra underscored that the issue extends beyond territorial disputes, as it involves homes, schools, and communities disrupted by the conflict. He emphasized that displacement has implications for human rights and children's rights and asserted that territory cannot be lawfully acquired by force. Instead, boundaries should be determined by legal and agreed mechanisms.

He further argued that a ceasefire should entail more than the mere cessation of gunfire; it should also prevent the creation of new facts on the ground and facilitate the safe return of displaced civilians. The Minister reiterated Cambodia's stance that the ongoing displacement results from Thai military actions and unlawful occupation following the ceasefire.

H.E. Neth Pheaktra called upon the international community to go beyond providing humanitarian aid and to question the reasons behind the continued displacement. He stressed that true peace would be when families and children can safely return to their communities and schools.