Phnom Penh, 30 December 2025. According to UNICEF Cambodia, more than 1,300 schools in provinces affected by the recent border conflict remain closed, disrupting the education of an estimated 322,000 students and the work of 15,000 teachers. The closures have also affected Don Bosco schools in Poipet and Battambang, which serve rural and Indigenous youth.

To support displaced children, UNICEF and its partners have established safe spaces where children can read, draw, and take part in recovery activities. These spaces help maintain routines and emotional well‑being during displacement. In an interview with UNICEF staff, Hun, a sixth‑grade student, said she misses her friends, teachers, and “the simple joy of going to school.”

In collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, UNICEF is ensuring that children have access to play, learning, and emotional support. Social workers are being trained to manage these spaces, identify children at risk, and provide counseling to them and their families. UNICEF is also working with the Ministry of Rural Development to distribute hygiene supplies and promote safe practices, while setting up temporary learning spaces in displacement camps.

The Ministry of Education confirmed that temporary schools in refugee camps in Oddar Meanchey began operating this week and are expected to be fully functional soon. Meanwhile, Khmer Times reported that many schools, hospitals, and administrative offices remain suspended in provinces such as Banteay Meanchey, Preah Vihear, and Oddar Meanchey, though services in Battambang have resumed.

As part of the humanitarian response, two girls from Banteay Meanchey and Oddar Meanchey have been relocated to the Don Bosco Kep Brother Sun Children program, which provides shelter, education, and psychosocial support. Their relocation underscores the role of Don Bosco institutions in offering protection and continuity of learning for vulnerable children during crises.