Phnom penh: The Royal Government of Cambodia continues to prioritise assistance for displaced citizens while actively safeguarding national sovereignty through diplomatic means, according to a government spokesperson.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, during a press briefing on the Cambodia-Thailand border situation, H.E. Pen Bona highlighted Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet's visit on January 31 to displaced families at three safety centres in Preah Vihear province. These centres, Wat Bak Kam, Wat Pothisal (Kilometre 8 Pagoda), and Wat Kampong Sangke, are currently housing a total of 2,596 families.
The Prime Minister outlined three key measures to address the situation: facilitating the safe return of displaced people through mine and unexploded ordnance clearance; strengthening and, where necessary, relocating temporary shelters for those unable to return; and assessing and rapidly restoring damaged public infrastructure using national and development partner resources.
The government's top priorities, as emphasised by the Prime Minister, are the protection of the nation's territory and the safety of its people. These ongoing efforts reflect the strong commitment of national leaders and authorities at all levels, particularly local authorities, in mobilising all mechanisms to provide protection, safety, and recovery for affected citizens.
Under the coordination of local authorities and relevant security forces, displaced people have been gradually returning home each day. According to the Ministry of Interior, more than 83 percent, or approximately 550,000 people, have already returned to their homes out of over 640,000 displaced persons. Meanwhile, 109,044 people remain in temporary shelters, including 57,159 women and 35,673 children.
The government spokesperson reaffirmed that Cambodia maintains an unwavering position in defending the Cambodia-Thailand international border as inherited from the Commission of Delimitation of the Boundary between Indo-China and Siam. This is done in full respect of international law principles, including the principle of intangibility of frontiers (Uti Possidetis Juris), the Franco-Siamese conventions and treaties, the maps, and the proc¨s-verbaux of the Commission of the Abornement of the Boundary between Indo-China and Siam, as well as all relevant agreements and documents mutually agreed upon by both parties. Cambodia categorically rejects any alteration of the border resulting from the use of force.