Dear John,

Since 7th December, renewed fighting along the Cambodia–Thailand border has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes in northwest Cambodia. Today we are launching an emergency appeal seeking urgent funds to keep displaced families safe and healthy.

Yesterday, on Thursday 18th December, further air strikes were reported in Banteay Meanchey province, where Health Poverty Action is currently working. As a result, more families have been displaced, and the number of people seeking refuge in already overstretched locations continues to rise.

This disaster has further devastated communities already struggling with ongoing conflict, displacement, and poverty. Hospitals and clinics, already under strain due to supply shortages, are overwhelmed with injured survivors.

Health Poverty Action is responding in Takong commune, Malai district, where more than 6,000 displaced people were already sheltering before the latest escalation. Conditions remain extremely basic, with limited access to food, clean water, sanitation and healthcare. Children make up a significant proportion of those displaced, including infants who require safe nutrition and medical attention.

Hot weather, exposure to the elements and unsafe water sources are increasing the risk of water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases, while access constraints continue to limit the assistance reaching this area.

In response, Health Poverty Action has expanded its emergency support and is:

• Supporting frontline doctors and 7 local clinics to deliver urgent medical care, particularly for children.
• Working with local partners to increase access to safe drinking water.
• Coordinating with health workers and authorities to identify and respond to priority needs, including essential medicines, hygiene supplies and mosquito nets.

As displacement continues to rise, timely and flexible support is critical to prevent a further deterioration in health conditions.

Thank you in advance for standing in solidarity with people whose lives have been disrupted by violence.

Whatever you can give, your contributions will help Health Poverty Action respond swiftly to urgent needs and support communities affected by the ongoing conflict:

• £5 could buy 96 bottles of water for people in need
• £10 could pay for 20 kg of rice, helping families with basic food needs
• £20 could provide 5 warm blankets to protect people from cold conditions at night
• £50 could pay for one water filter bucket, enabling safe and sustainable access to drinking water
• £100 could provide temporary shelter for approximately 50 people using tarpaulin tents.

Kind regards,

Bangyuan Wang,

Head of Programmes: Asia