A new analysis by the Business and Human Rights Law Group (BHRLG) warns that the suspension of US aid to Cambodia threatens critical sectors like health, education, and mine clearance, putting thousands of lives at risk. The report urges Cambodia and its partners to act swiftly to safeguard vital programs and bridge the funding gap. 

BHRLG, an independent pro bono law group dedicated to human rights, environmental justice, and the rule of law, analyzed US funded aid projects in Cambodia from January 2020 to January 2025.

Using data from www.usaspending.gov, the official US government spending database, the group found that over $371 million US aid was distributed across 185 projects during this period.

The highest funding went to health ($72 million), followed by mine clearance ($62 million) and education ($46 million). Other key areas include human rights and democracy ($33 million), food security ($30 million), civic engagement ($25 million), and anti-human trafficking ($23 million).

BHRLG warns that aid suspension will have widespread consequences, threatening Cambodia’s healthcare system, food security, landmine clearance efforts, and civil society. Thousands of lives are at risk, with crucial development programs now hanging in the balance.

“Cambodia cannot afford to lose this support, and therefore it is imperative that local and international stakeholders unite to protect Cambodia’s development and ensure that vital aid continues to reach the people who need it most,” it stated. 

The government stated that to bridge these gaps, it will seek other partners or utilize state funds. Meanwhile, civil society groups are continuing to lobby other donors, emphasizing the ongoing need for civil society organizations in Cambodia.

In five years of US funding in Cambodia, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) accounted for the largest share, contributing over $224 million to 44 projects—more than 60% of total US aid to Cambodia. Next was the US Department of State with $77 million for 106 projects (20%) and the US Department of Agriculture – $51 million for 11 projects (13%). Other agencies, including Health and Human Services, Interior, Defense, and Labor, made smaller contributions.

For healthcare projects alone, USAID allocated $59 million between 2020 and 2025.

One of the most affected initiatives is a five-year project (2023–2028) led by the international NGO FHI 360, which has already secured $11 million to continue strengthening Cambodia’s healthcare system, BHRLG shared. It follows the success of a previous project that ran from 2018 to 2023, receiving more than $17 million to improve public and private health services.

Another major project at risk is the Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) initiative, led by Research Triangle Institute, it said. Launched in 2020 and set to end this year, the program received over $20 million to enhance children’s development through early learning, nutrition, and health services. It works closely with Cambodia’s Ministries of Health, Social Affairs, and Education to implement nationwide improvements, including disability screening and Cambodian Sign Language instruction for deaf children.

However, there has been no comment from the Ministry of Health regarding the impact of the US funding suspension of the health sector. Both Koy Vanny, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, and Health Director-General Hok Kim Cheng did not respond.

Mine clearance is the second area severely affected by the suspension of US aid, BHRLG mentioned. According to Ly Thuch, First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, over 1,000 Cambodian deminers face unemployment as a result. On February 13, 210 deminers employed by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) were demobilized. However, on February 15, all 210 technical members were redeployed, with Prime Minister Hun Manet strongly supporting the redeployment efforts to continue operations as usual.

Another impacted area is education where about $25 million was donated by USAID between 2020 and 2025. Khuon Vichheka, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport did not respond.

On February 16, the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced on social media X that $9.7 million allocated for the University of California (UC), Berkeley’s initiative to develop a cohort of Cambodian youth with enterprise-driven skills had been canceled. 

In February 2022, USAID and UC Berkeley collaborated with Cambodia’s education ministry to launch a five-year digital skills development project with $15 million USAID funds.

Additionally, DOGE canceled $2.3 million aid for the strengthening of independent voices in Cambodia. 

USAID has funded human and labor rights organizations in Cambodia, many of which are facing financial uncertainty now. The American Center for International Labor Solidarity signed a $1.8 million, five-year agreement (2024–2029) with USAID.

Similarly, the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), which relies on USAID for 70% of its funding, signed a $1.95 million, five-year agreement in 2023. The Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL) also secured a $950,000, five-year contract with USAID.

BHRLG urged Cambodian and international NGOs to begin lobbying other governments—such as Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand—to increase or redirect funding to Cambodia. Deepening partnerships with nations like Canada could also open new avenues for development assistance.

Moeun Tola, Executive Director of CENTRAL, an organization that receives funding directly from USAID, acknowledged that convincing the US to reverse its position on aid would be difficult, given the country’s independent decision-making.

However, CENTRAL is actively exploring institutional strategies and collaborating with other organizations to address the fallout from the aid suspension. He urged donors to recognize the ongoing importance of civil society organizations in Cambodia, particularly as issues related to human rights, labor rights, civil rights, and political democracy remain challenging.

In the meantime, several donors and embassies are willing to consider the request of civil society organizations here, Tola said.

“We want the donor parties to prioritize supporting civil society organizations that are active in protecting and promoting labor rights, human rights, civil rights, politics, and the process of building democracy,” he said. 

Government spokesperson Pen Bona told CamboJA News that the government does not rely on a single source of funding. If a project is impacted, it seeks alternative support from other sources or utilizes state funds.

“If a donor withdraws, some projects are impacted, but others continue. For affected projects, the government is working to address the issue through state funding or collaboration with other partners,” he said.

While acknowledging the significant contributions of civil society organizations to the country’s development, Bona stressed that the government does not wish to see them affected, and encouraged them to explore other funding options.