Thousands of Displaced Cambodians Receive Help from Church Humanitarian Services 
ជនភៀសសឹកកម្ពុជារាប់ពាន់នាក់ទទួលបានជំនួយពីការបម្រើមនុស្សធម៌របស់សាសនាចក្រ

ដើម្បីអានជាភាសាខ្មែរ សូមចុច នៅទីនេះ

With around half a million Cambodians displaced from their homes in northwestern provinces due to border conflicts, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints quickly mobilized its humanitarian service capabilities to provide large-scale help in late December 2025 and early January 2026.

The Church donated nearly 90 metric tons (90,000 kilograms) of rice, truckloads of bottled soy sauce and fish sauce to use with the rice, many tons of bottled water, 3,200 tarps to make tents, and 3,200 sleeping mats. The Church also donated needed medical equipment to Preah Netr Preah Referral Hospital where many people hurt in the conflict are being treated.

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Much of the humanitarian effort was coordinated through the Cambodia Ministry of Cults and Religion. Working with local officials in affected provinces, ministry officials arranged delivery of the rice and other food and supplies into four provinces with large camps of displaced people. Church humanitarian specialists and senior humanitarian missionaries helped coordinate the purchase and distribution of the food and supplies.

Ten metric tons of the rice were delivered to the Ministry of Cults and Religion and a short “handover” ceremony was held on December 30, 2025 at the ministry offices. Cults and Religion Minister Chay Borin accepted the large stack of rice in the office foyer on behalf of the ministry, and said, “The ministry appreciates the donation that the Association (of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) has provided.” He said he personally would lead the ministry in distributing the rice in the Dambae district of Tboung Khmum province where a large number of displaced families traveled to get away from the border provinces.

The other 80 tons of rice and other food and supplies were delivered to Battambang, Siem Reap and Kampong Thom provinces where ministry officials worked with local leaders in distributing the supplies in the displacement camps.  In Battambang province, Provincial Governor Sok Lou accepted the donations and thanked the Church for the rice, tents, sleeping mats and other supplies.

The donation to the Preah Netr Preah Referral Hospital included equipment for emergency medical care, including an anesthesia machine, two cautery machines, an autoclave (high-pressure steam sterilizer), five patient gurneys, 10 NIHP cuffs to measure blood pressure, and an operating table equipped for a C-Arm.

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Besides the Church’s donations as an entity, many Church members in Cambodia have privately donated money, food and other supplies to non-governmental organizations or have delivered supplies themselves to border provinces.

The Church’s Asia Area Presidency sent a letter to all Cambodia Church leaders encouraging members to help those in need. The letter was read in worship services in all Cambodia congregations. “Our hearts go out to all who have been displaced from their homes due to recent conflicts at the border,” said the letter. All members in Cambodia were invited to fast and pray for affected individuals and families, to consider contributing to the Church’s humanitarian aid fund, and to “find meaningful ways to serve your neighbors and your community.”

The Asia Area leaders said the Church is working with charity organizations to provide aid and support for those who are impacted. The letter was signed by Asia Area President Benjamin M.Z. Tai, First Counselor Kelly R. Johnson, and Second Counselor David L. Buckner.

The individual donations of money and supplies made by Church members has amounted to thousands of dollars and tons of food and other needed goods. One big effort, for example, was made by former Cambodian Mission President Veasna Kuonno Neang and a group of fellow Church members, including a number of his former missionaries. The group raised donations for supplies and helped about 125 families in Battambang and Banteay Meanchey provinces.

One former Cambodia missionary, Ronald Ratha, said, “I am so glad our Church is providing such a large amount of help. I am also happy that many Church members have stepped up themselves to help. Some of us helped President Neang take truckloads of supplies donated by many Cambodia members.” The volunteers made two trips to displacement camps.

Ban Nisa, a Church member in Teuk La’ak Ward in Phnom Penh North Stake, said, “I appreciate so much my Church helping the displaced people. It shows we love God and love our neighbors and want to help those in need. It breaks our hearts to know so many are suffering. The Church humanitarian aid helps a lot.”