On December 13, Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Vicariate issued an appeal for fundraising to support schools located in high-risk areas and to assist Cambodian people who have been displaced due to the war along the Cambodia–Thailand border.
In a letter signed by Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, the appeal was addressed to principals, vice principals, administrators, and leaders of Catholic schools at all levels, from preschool to higher education. The letter informed them of their participation, alongside the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, in supporting education personnel, teachers, and students who have been evacuated to displacement areas.
The Bishop called on everyone to take part in “donating funds according to their own ability and sincere goodwill” in order to contribute to humanitarian activities and help alleviate the suffering of victims.
At the same time, he expressed his gratitude and strong confidence in the “spirit of generosity and the culture of sharing in a spirit of fraternity” demonstrated by school leaders, education staff, and students, who are regarded as “a strong pillar in defending the nation.”
All donated funds will be handed over to the management committees of each school in the high-risk areas.
This appeal follows another letter jointly issued by the bishops of Cambodia’s three ecclesiastical jurisdictions, calling for an immediate ceasefire and peace. In that letter, the three bishops also asked Catholics to pray for peace and to seek ways, according to their abilities and means, to help displaced people along the border where conflict between Cambodia and Thailand is ongoing.
The conflict resumed on December 7, resulting in the deaths of 11 Cambodian civilians and injuries to many others. Civilians living along the border have once again been displaced, with a total of 303,213 people affected, according to a report from Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense released on December 12.
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