The Royal Government has transferred some US$744 million to more than 680,000 poor and vulnerable households under the cash transfer programme in 25 months.
The emergency financial support was applauded by the recipients, development partners, national and international civil society organisations and the general public, underlined a press release issued after the Report Launching and Dissemination of the Impact Evaluation on the Cash Transfer Programme for the Poor and Vulnerable Households during COVID-19, held here on July 27 under the presidency of H.E. Dr. Phan Phalla, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The report shows that the cash transfer programme has had many positive effects. It has helped poor families from falling into food insecurity, debt, the sale of family assets, and eased household expenses, especially on food, medicine and children’s education. In terms of macroeconomics, the programme contributed to the economic growth of about 0.55 percent in 2020 and 0.45 percent in 2021. Moreover, it contributed to decreasing the unemployment rate by 0.57 percent in 2020 and 0.62 percent in 2021 and reducing the poverty rate by about 2.7 percent in 2020 and 3.4 percent in 2021.
The Cash Transfer Programme for the Poor and Vulnerable Households during COVID-19 is an important part of the Royal Government of Cambodia’s interventions in a proactive and highly responsive spirit, H.E. Dr. Phan Phalla said, continuing that the evaluation results not only demonstrate the effectiveness and transparency of programme implementation, but also highlight the role of social assistance interventions that have facilitated people’s livelihoods and boosted economic growth.
Ms. Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Cambodia, spoke highly of the report, stressing that it provides scientific evidence that is a solid basis for considering additional investments in social protection systems that will provide effective support for poor and vulnerable households and ensure that no one is left behind. This assessment allows us to better understand and see the impact and consequences of the programme on the lives of poor and vulnerable households, as well as macroeconomics, she added.
For her part, Ms. Benita Chudleigh, First Secretary of the Australian Embassy in Cambodia, laid stress on Australia’s commitment to work with partners to find ways to improve the lives of Cambodians. “We congratulate the Royal Government of Cambodia for using the IDPoor Database, which the Australian Government has supported over the past decade, to identify the most needy people as a target group for this cash transfer programme,” she said.
The Cash Transfer Programme for the Poor and Vulnerable Households during COVID-19 was launched on June 24, 2020 under the presidency of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia to assist the poor and vulnerable households who hold the equity cards in both urban and rural areas across the country.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press