The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) have partnered to provide crucial humanitarian assistance to Cambodian refugees. This aid is specifically directed towards those displaced and affected by the ongoing military aggression from the Thai military in Cambodia. The distribution of this vital support is being facilitated through the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC).
Mr. Vath Chamroeun, the Secretary General of the NOCC, spoke at the official reception of the humanitarian aid on the afternoon of December 25th. He clarified that the assistance falls under the ‘Olympic Refugees Foundations’ initiative, a program established by the IOC in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This foundation is dedicated to assisting individuals affected by natural disasters or conflict zones worldwide. Mr. Vath Chamroeun further emphasized that the decision to extend this aid to Cambodia was made after a meticulous and thorough review process conducted by both the IOC and OCA. He underscored that this gesture from world-leading sports organizations serves as a clear acknowledgment that hundreds of thousands of Cambodian citizens are indeed enduring significant suffering due to the military invasion.
Among the provisions supplied by the IOC and OCA are essential items such as food, educational materials, and sports equipment. The objective behind providing sports equipment is to ensure that children, youth, and the general population can continue to engage in sports, embodying the Olympic spirit even while living in displacement. The NOCC will coordinate with the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport for the distribution of the school and sports supplies, ensuring they reach displaced students who have been unable to attend classes and to encourage their eventual return to education. Food supplies will be entrusted to the provincial administrations in the affected areas for subsequent distribution to the refugee population. Mr. Vath Chamroeun hailed this assistance from major sports bodies as immensely valuable, providing not only tangible support but also a significant morale boost for humanity, reinforcing the powerful global message that sports are fundamentally linked with peace, not conflict.
He further clarified that the aid from the IOC and OCA is designated exclusively for refugees within the framework of the Olympic movement. He stressed that this initiative is entirely independent of political considerations and is not intended for military forces. As of December 25th, the number of Cambodian refugees has tragically escalated to nearly 640,000. Reports indicate 30 fatalities and 87 injuries. Within these figures, a significant portion includes 333,631 women and 203,593 children, all impacted by the ongoing attacks and aggression by the Thai military.
