Phnom Penh clears homeless from Sen Sok streets

Authorities in Phnom Penh have removed a group of homeless people from the capital’s Sen Sok district, underscoring the city’s ongoing struggle with poverty and urban inequality.

On Wednesday afternoon, district officials joined forces with the Department of Social Affairs, Veterans Affairs and Youth Rehabilitation to carry out an operation in O Bek Kaom commune.

Ten people, including one woman, were rounded up from abandoned buildings and vacant plots where they had been living. Officials said the move was aimed at maintaining public order, improving security and curbing drug use in the area.

Those detained have been sent to the Department of Social Affairs for rehabilitation, care and re‑education. The authorities framed the action as part of wider efforts to address social problems in the capital, but the clearance highlights deeper issues.

Phnom Penh’s homeless population has grown in recent years, driven by rapid urbanisation, rising living costs and frequent evictions. Rights groups estimate that nearly a quarter of the city’s residents live in precarious slum conditions, often without secure housing, clean water or sanitation. Families are frequently displaced by development projects, leaving many to survive on the streets or in makeshift shelters.

While the government has pledged to provide rehabilitation and support, critics argue that such operations often prioritise visibility and order over long‑term solutions. Shelters run by NGOs and charities remain overstretched, with limited capacity to accommodate the growing number of vulnerable people.

The Sen Sok clearance reflects a familiar pattern in Phnom Penh: homeless people removed from public spaces in the name of security, only to face uncertain futures in rehabilitation centres. Without sustained investment in housing, healthcare and employment, campaigners warn, the cycle of displacement and poverty will continue.

For now, the ten individuals taken off the streets this week are in state care. But their plight is a reminder of the broader challenge confronting Cambodia’s capital—how to balance urban development with the urgent need for inclusive social protection.

-2026-08-07