Cambodia Speeds Civilian Return as PM Launches Recovery Drive

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12, 2026, (KPT) — Prime Minister Hun Manet has launched a nationwide recovery campaign to accelerate the safe return of displaced civilians following the Cambodia–Thailand border conflict, combining large-scale demining, debt relief and rapid infrastructure repairs.

In a national address late Saturday, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet urged families able to return home to continue cooperating with local authorities as ministries intensify efforts to clear unexploded ordnance and stabilize livelihoods.

He said the Cambodian Mine Action Authority and the Cambodian Mine Action Centre are actively clearing weapons to ensure areas are safe before families are allowed to return.

To support recovery, the National Bank of Cambodia, working with banking and microfinance associations, has introduced relief measures for frontline soldiers and conflict-affected civilians. These include loan restructuring, fee and penalty waivers, deferred repayments and the cancellation of up to 10 million riel in loans for disabled soldiers and 80 million riel for families of fallen soldiers.

Special government task forces have been formed to assess damage and urgent needs across affected provinces, focusing on restoring agriculture, easing household debt and resuming essential services such as clean water, electricity and telecommunications.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said national budget resources and development partner funding will be mobilized to repair schools, health centers, markets, roads, bridges and utility networks to enable safe and dignified returns.

He thanked the governments of China and the United States, the Asian Development Bank and other partners for humanitarian and financial assistance to support recovery in border communities.

The initiative underscores Cambodia’s push toward post-conflict recovery, civilian protection and long-term border stability.