(Phnom Penh): Hollywood actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie shared a heartfelt message marking the first anniversary of the armed conflict along the Cambodia-Thailand border, paying tribute to displaced Cambodian families and reaffirming her enduring bond with Cambodia.

In a post on Instagram, she said nearly 30,000 Cambodians remain internally displaced, unable to return to their homes one year after the conflict began.

"Cambodia has always been a special country for me and my family. This is my son's country of birth, our home is here, and for over 20 years, we've worked with a fully locally-led team on conservation and community development. The Maddox Foundation is headquartered on the same border where the recent conflict took place,” Angelina Jolie wrote.

“I have had the honour of becoming close friends with my neighbours and the Foundation team as we demined and developed the area together,” she added.

She continued, “When the fighting broke out last year, we had to evacuate our staff and their families ― a painful reminder of just how quickly conflict can return.”

Expressing solidarity with those still affected, she concluded: “I love this country and its resilient, warm people. While we're grateful to have resumed our work protecting the land and supporting the community's health and livelihoods, my heart is with everyone still waiting to come home."
=FRESH NEWS