PHNOM PENH, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Monday that the government will launch a cash relief program for more than 600,000 poor and vulnerable families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"On June 24, I will announce the launch of cash relief to more than 600,000 poor families with a few millions of people," he said during a site visit of the new Phnom Penh International Airport in southern Kandal province.
"We will spend about 25 million U.S. dollars a month to assist them," he added.
The prime minister said the cash handout program aimed to help those locals whose jobs have been suspended due to the COVID-19, especially the poor in remote areas who are facing food shortages.
According to a sub-decree signed by Hun Sen and released to the media on Sunday, poor families in capital Phnom Penh and provincial towns classified as levels 1 and 2 will receive a cash handout of 30 U.S. dollars a month from the government.
A Level 1 poor family member in the capital will be further assisted with 13 dollars a month, while a Level 2 poor family member will get 9 dollars.
The sub-decree added that a Level 1 poor family member in provincial towns will receive 10 dollars in assistance per month and a Level 2 poor family member will get 7 dollars.
Vulnerable groups such as children, disabled people, elderly people, and HIV/AIDS carriers are to receive equal cash, it said, adding that each person will get 10 dollars for Level 1 and 7 dollars for Level 2.
The sub-decree added that poor families in the countryside will receive 20 dollars a month, with each family member in Level 1 further receiving 6 dollars and in Level 2 further getting 4 dollars.
Cambodia has so far reported a total of 129 confirmed COVID-19 cases, mostly imported, and no death has been recorded, the Ministry of Health said, adding that currently, only two patients remain hospitalized. Enditem
