NovCambodia News
18,703 people in Cambodia’s border areas were still unable to return home
Most of the people displaced during the border conflict had already returned by then. For the families who had not, the remaining problem was closely tied to local conditions: damaged homes, access to affected communities and the recovery of basic civilian services.
The disruption extended beyond damaged homes
Cambodianess, citing government figures, reported damage to 1,558 houses as well as telecommunications and water-supply facilities and other civilian property. That matters for anyone considering a long stay near the Thai border because a usable home is only one part of normal daily life. Reliable access, utilities and functioning local services can be just as important as the condition of the property itself.
The geography also needs to stay precise. This was a border-area humanitarian story, with some communities much more affected than others. The 21 August count does not describe conditions in Phnom Penh or establish a nationwide safety level for Cambodia.
Later figures should not be treated as a simple national update
The 18,703 figure is a dated snapshot from 21 August. On 17 September, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence said 13,259 people were still unable to return home in Banteay Meanchey locations covered by a visit from the ASEAN Observer Team. That later number refers to a narrower set of locations, so it cannot be directly compared with the broader August total or used as a replacement national figure.
For a household choosing where to rent, buy or settle near the border, current district-level information is therefore more useful than an older headline number. Road access, schools, healthcare, utilities and whether residents can actually return to the immediate area are the practical indicators to check at the time of a decision.
Sources
- Cambodia Ministry of Interior — Press Release on the Situation of Displaced Persons and Impact on Civilian Areas — 21 August 2026.
- Cambodianess — More Than 18,000 People Remain Displaced — 20 August 2026.
- Cambodia Ministry of National Defence — press release on the ASEAN Observer Team visit to a displaced civilian camp in Banteay Meanchey — 17 September 2026.