In a step toward addressing the humanitarian crisis on the northern Cambodian border, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is donating to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to provide critical maternal and newborn medical aid to thousands of displaced families.
A signing ceremony on January 23, 2026, held at the UNICEF Country Office in Phnom Penh, formalized a joint commitment to provide essential health services in the hardest-hit rural areas. UNICEF Country Representative Will Parks said at the ceremony, “Your support will really boost our emergency medical response capabilities. We still have a substantial number of children in very challenging situations.”
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Representatives of UNICEF and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participate in signing ceremony in UNICEF offices in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on January 23, 2026.2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The Church’s donation is specifically focused on maternal and newborn health, a sector weakened by the destruction of facilities and a shortage of modern equipment. The life-saving equipment provided through the agreement includes:
- 77 Fetal Heartbeat Monitors to monitor the health of babies during labor and identify danger signs early.
- 4 CPAP Machines to provide respiratory support for premature or sick newborns.
- Phototherapy Equipment to treat jaundice in infants.
In addition to the hardware, the project includes a training component. Sixty-nine health workers will receive specialized training on how to use these new tools and how to utilize partographs (printed graphical records) to monitor labor progress effectively. The training and equipment will be used in 69 health centres and four hospitals in the provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey.
The UNICEF contribution follows an earlier Church donation of more than 100 tons of rice and other food and supplies that were distributed through the Cambodian Ministry of Cults and Religion to displaced persons.
The border conflict has taken a severe toll on civilian infrastructure, including healthcare facilities. At its peak, over 660,000 people were displaced on the Cambodian side, according to UNICEF officials. While many have attempted to return to their villages, they often find their homes, businesses, schools and health centres damaged or destroyed. As of 1 February 2026, more than 14,000 families (nearly 47,000 people) remain displaced, with many still living in temporary tents in displacement sites.
The violence has directly impacted the healthcare system, damaging at least 14 health centres and 29 schools in the affected provinces.
This latest collaboration is made possible by the voluntary contributions of Church members worldwide to the Church’s humanitarian fund. It was noted that the Church has partnered with UNICEF in other developing countries as well to support children in crisis situations.
Will-Parks,-UNICEF-Country-Representative,-and-Chansophea-Reath,-Welfare-and-Self-Reliance-Manager-for-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints,-sign-documents-finalizing-a-donation-from-the-Church-of-UNIC.jpg
Will Parks, UNICEF Country Representative, and Chansophea Reath, Welfare and Self-Reliance Manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sign documents finalizing a donation from the Church to UNICEF at the UNICEF offices in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on January 23, 2026.© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.UNICEF will regularly conduct programmatic and financial assurance activities to ensure proper and efficient use of funds and to confirm that scheduled training has occurred. On-site visits to hospitals and health centres will be conducted to verify that equipment has been delivered, installed, functional, and in routine use.
Beyond immediate relief, the project is designed to integrate with the UNICEF Cambodia Country Programme 2024–2028. This approach ensures that the intervention leaves behind a more resilient health system for rural Cambodians, one capable of handling future crises. The initiative is expected to reach over 14,061 children and 14,888 pregnant women within its first year of operation.
“We are humbled and thankful to be able to support this effort to bless the lives of children,” said Chansophea Reath, Cambodia welfare and self-reliance manager for the Church. “We’re glad to support this programme to improve the health and safety of babies and their mothers. They are the hope of Cambodia.”