The Thailand–Cambodia border conflict is the main driver of humanitarian needs in Cambodia. This long-standing territorial dispute is rooted in colonial-era boundary demarcations, competing sovereignty claims, and political tensions linked to the Temple of Preah Vihear and surrounding areas. Periodic flare-ups have escalated into armed clashes, displacement, and civilian harm.
In 2025, tensions escalated following border skirmishes in May and intensified in July, leading to artillery exchanges, airstrikes, and ground fighting across northern and north-western border provinces, including Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Koh Kong, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, and Preah Vihear. Conflict re-escalated in December 2025 with renewed military operations and aerial
bombardments, before a fragile ceasefire was reached. By 15 January 2026, 141,850 people were still living in displacement sites, and at least 18 fatalities and 79 injuries were reported, alongside damage to infrastructure and essential services, including health facilities. Civilians face heightened protection risks, disrupted livelihoods, disease outbreaks linked to overcrowding and poor shelter and growing mental health needs caused by prolonged insecurity. Climate-related vulnerabilities intensify humanitarian
needs and poverty.
Sources
(WVI Cambodia 16/01/2026, [HRF 16/01/2026]
(https://reliefweb.int/report/cambodia/humanitarian-response-forum-hrf-situation-
report-15-cambodia-thailand-border-situation-16th-january-2026), [WHO 18/12/2025]
(https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-khm/resource/d9ecc489-6ddb-48b8-afdc-
a8dce3d56bd6), HRF 12/12/2025)
The Thailand–Cambodia border conflict is the main driver of humanitarian needs in Cambodia. This long-standing territorial dispute is rooted in colonial-era boundary demarcations, competing sovereignty claims, and political tensions linked to the Temple of Preah Vihear and surrounding areas. Periodic flare-ups have escalated into armed clashes, displacement, and civilian harm.
In 2025, tensions escalated following border skirmishes in May and intensified in July, leading to artillery exchanges, airstrikes, and ground fighting across northern and north-western border provinces, including Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Koh Kong, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, and Preah Vihear. Conflict re-escalated in December 2025 with renewed military operations and aerial
bombardments, before a fragile ceasefire was reached. By 15 January 2026, 141,850 people were still living in displacement sites, and at least 18 fatalities and 79 injuries were reported, alongside damage to infrastructure and essential services, including health facilities. Civilians face heightened protection risks, disrupted livelihoods, disease outbreaks linked to overcrowding and poor shelter and growing mental health needs caused by prolonged insecurity. Climate-related vulnerabilities intensify humanitarian
needs and poverty.
Sources
(WVI Cambodia 16/01/2026, [HRF 16/01/2026]
(https://reliefweb.int/report/cambodia/humanitarian-response-forum-hrf-situation-
report-15-cambodia-thailand-border-situation-16th-january-2026), [WHO 18/12/2025]
(https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-khm/resource/d9ecc489-6ddb-48b8-afdc-
a8dce3d56bd6), HRF 12/12/2025)
