Providing Relief and Dignity in Cambodia: Stories of Cash Assistance

Every day is a struggle, especially for those caring for children, elderly family members, or living with disabilities. We provided life-saving cash to 1,500 households, benefiting 7,873 people. The funds were distributed to displaced people, people on the move, and vulnerable local and host communities in Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Battambang, Siem Reap, and Banteay Meanchey. It helped them meet their needs and restore a sense of stability and dignity.

Life in the Camp: Chaem Sokna

Chaem Sokna, from a host community near Chan Si Pagoda Camp, has been living with her family since the fighting began. Before the conflict, she worked in hospitality, welcoming guests and serving drinks.

Overcrowding and limited sanitation make daily life exhausting. Despite these hardships, Sokna found hope in the cash assistance we provided. With $100 in cash support, she bought food and medicine for her family, something that would have been nearly impossible otherwise.

For Sokna, the assistance allowed her to meet her household’s needs and gave her a semblance of relief. The flexibility of the support let her decide how to best cover her family’s priorities.

Supporting Education and Families with Disabilities: Tang Ni

Mr. Tang Ni, an internally displaced person living with a disability, also benefited from our support. He cares for his grandchildren and faces daily challenges ensuring their well-being.

The cash assistance allowed him to cover his needs while also investing in his grandchildren’s education. Tang Ni bought school supplies, uniforms, and learning materials, ensuring that his grandchildren could attend classes regularly and continue learning despite the challenges of camp life.

Even without opportunities to earn income or start a business, the cash provided Tang Ni the flexibility to prioritise his needs—from schooling to nutrition and healthcare—giving his family a small sense of stability in an uncertain situation.

The Impact of Cash Assistance

For many people, cash aid provides hope, reassurance, and dignity. It allows families to make decisions based on their priorities and reduces the stress of daily survival.

Through our work, we are providing life-saving cash that restores well-being and supports recovery. Even small amounts, when used to meet urgent needs, can make a significant difference in the daily lives of those affected by conflict.

Sokna and Tang Ni demonstrate how cash assistance brings comfort, relief, and hope, showing that support delivered safely, accessibly, and accountably has a meaningful and tangible impact on people’s lives.

Our cash assistance is funded by the European Union’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and implemented by IOM in partnership with People in Need Cambodia.