Cambodian govt extends cash assistance to pandemic-hit families for three months

PHNOM PENH, Jan 22 (Xinhua): The Cambodian government has extended a cash handout programme for approximately 700,000 families hit by Covid-19 for another three months until March, according to an official decision released to the public.

"The subsidy will be disbursed in the fourth week of each month," said Economy and Finance Minister Aun Pornmoniroth.

Cambodia first began the cash handout program in June 2020. Through the program, poor families in capital Phnom Penh and provincial towns receive a cash handout of US$30 a month, while poor families in the countryside get US$20 in assistance.

Each poor family member also receives between four dollars and US$13 depending on their areas.

Children under five, disabled people, citizens with HIV or citizens at 60 and above receive between four dollars and US$10, depending on their areas.

Cambodia has registered a total of 120,956 cases, with 3,015 deaths and 117,180 recoveries, the ministry said.

So far, the kingdom has administered one dose of Covid-19 vaccines to 14.32 million people, or 89.5 percent of its 16-million population, the ministry said.

Of them, 13.72 million, or 85.8 percent, have been fully vaccinated with two required shots, it said. - Xinhua