U.S. Embassy in Cambodia -- The United States Government announces an additional $7.5 million in funds to assist Cambodia to address COVID-19’s health and economic impacts. The assistance, delivered through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will continue direct support for health, and expand to include economic recovery. The resources were announced in a joint press event between U.S. Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy and H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth, at the Ministry of Economics and Finance in Phnom Penh.
“These resources are part of our long-term partnership with Cambodia,” Ambassador Murphy said. “Since 1992, the U.S. government has been a consistent supporter of Cambodia’s development, from helping farmers increase their yields and incomes to assisting business owners and consumers both benefit from and contribute to the country’s incredible economic growth. We continue this collaboration with the Cambodian people with even greater determination and remain vigilant in the face of unprecedented challenges presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic.”
Short- and medium-term relief measures will assist those people who are susceptible to immediate and severe economic impact, including farmers, agricultural producers, tourism/hospitality staff, factory and informal workers, and those vulnerable to trafficking. The U.S. government will expand existing activities in infection prevention and control, the provision of laboratory supplies, risk communication, community engagement, and outreach.
In total, since the beginning of the pandemic, the United States has allocated just over $11 million to assist Cambodia’s response and recovery from COVID-19. These funds are in addition to longstanding and significant technical support from U.S. government experts.
For decades, the United States has been the world’s largest provider of bilateral assistance in public health. An infectious disease threat anywhere can become a threat everywhere; the United States calls on all donors to join and contribute to the global effort to combat COVID-19.