In early 2023, the Daung checkpoint on the Thai-Cambodian border in Battambang Province, Cambodia, saw up to 200 people crossing daily. This was a stark contrast to the situation two years earlier when thousands of people, many of them migrant workers, were passing through the checkpoint in a single day.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Border Crossings
The COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the emergence of the more transmissible Delta variant, led to border closures and intensified the flow of returning migrants. Kou Poravuth, a 43-year-old border official at Daung checkpoint, recalls a memorable day when about 600 migrants arrived at the closed border, forcing them to sleep overnight in tents and open air.
Scaling Up Operations to Meet the Challenge
The heightened risk posed by the Delta variant necessitated a rapid scaling up of operations along the 800 km-long frontier with Thailand. The goal was to protect returnees’ health and prevent large-scale community transmission in rural areas that could overwhelm local health systems.
United Nations Joint Programme Support
A United Nations Joint Programme, supported by the Government of Japan, brought together several UN agencies to assist the Royal Government of Cambodia. The collaboration included:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
These organizations worked together to strengthen health security in the border provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, and Oddar Meanchey.
On the Ground: A Border Official’s Experience
Chhoeub Yeurt, a 29-year-old former midwife, became a border official at Boeung Trakuon in Banteay Meanchey Province in 2022. She found her new role challenging but rewarding, as it allowed her to grow professionally and gain confidence in emergency response situations.
Training and Capacity Building
WHO worked closely with the Ministry of Health and provincial health departments to train health, border, and quarantine center staff. The training covered various aspects, including:
- Infection prevention and control
- Care for COVID-19 patients
- Supporting returning migrants
- Ensuring humane and dignified treatment of returnees
WHO’s support included:
- Site visits
- On-site coaching
- Training of trainers (ToT)
- Webinars
- Strengthening cooperation across sectors
Government Perspective
Her Excellency Chou Bun Eng, Secretary of State, Ministry of Interior, emphasized the importance of the joint program in Cambodia’s pandemic response. She highlighted the program’s comprehensive approach, which included:
- Attention to health management at border crossings
- Food, sanitation, clean water, and hygiene measures
- Thermal scans
- Ethics training
- Standardized quarantine and health services
- Community livelihood promotion
Long-term Impact and Future Preparedness
The UN Joint Programme not only supported the immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic but also strengthened healthcare and border management systems for future emergencies. Staff in the three provinces have improved their knowledge and skills in infection prevention and control, and now have standard procedures in place for future outbreaks and emergencies.
Kou Poravuth expressed confidence in his team’s improved ability to manage future health crises, stating, “We will be able to manage a health situation better than we could two years ago. At that time, it was completely new for us. We have learned from past experiences and received continued support from the Ministry of Health and WHO.”
The experiences and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly enhanced Cambodia’s border management capabilities. Through international cooperation and targeted training, the country is now better equipped to face future health emergencies, ensuring the safety and well-being of both its citizens and returning migrants.