UNICEF urges de-escalation and protection of children amid rising Thailand–Cambodia border tensions
Statement by June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific
Bangkok, 24 July 2025 – UNICEF is deeply concerned by the escalating violence along the Thailand–Cambodia border, which has reportedly resulted in civilian casualties, including the killing of children, and the temporary closure of hundreds of schools in affected areas.
UNICEF calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and protect children and the critical services they rely on, in line with their obligations under international law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children must be protected at all times and their safety and well-being must be prioritized, while schools must remain safe spaces for learning.
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UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
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