Cambodia Cuts Institutional Childcare by 73% in Decade of Reform

UNICEF

Cambodia has seen a dramatic 73% drop in the number of children living in institutional care over the past decade, according to UNICEF Cambodia. The decline, from 2014 to 2024, reflects a nationwide shift towards family-based care, driven by government reforms and international support.

UNICEF credits the progress to its partnership with the Cambodian government, which has restricted the creation of new residential centres and prioritised reintegration of children into family environments. “This is a major achievement,” said UNICEF Cambodia Representative Will Parks, “Children now have the chance to grow up in families where they are loved and can thrive.”

The reforms include deploying trained social workers to reunify families, setting national standards for alternative care, and raising awareness of every child’s right to grow up in a family. In 2025, the government formally committed to reducing institutionalisation, translating policy into action with support from donors and NGOs.

The number of state-run care institutions fell from 406 to 165, while NGO-run centres dropped by 63%. Faith-based facilities, boarding schools, and emergency shelters also saw steep declines. Some centres have transitioned into group homes or foster care programmes, aligning with the government’s revised Alternative Care Policy launched in 2024.

Despite the progress, challenges remain. Yang Kim Eng, head of the People's Centre for Development and Peace, noted that poverty, parental migration, and lack of support still push children into care homes. “Even if families have nothing, they try to feed their children,” he said, urging parents to plan for their children’s future and warning of risks like substance abuse and gang involvement.

UNICEF’s future focus includes expanding foster and kinship care, improving inspections and licensing, and reintegrating children with disabilities into communities. The Ministry of Social Affairs has pledged to continue strengthening care quality and halting new institutional openings.

Cambodia’s transformation offers a model for child protection reform, showing how policy, community engagement, and international cooperation can reshape childhoods—moving from institutional walls to family warmth.

-2025-09-16