PHNOM PENH, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Some 4.6 million people -- out of the kingdom's population of over 17 million -- have benefited from a government cash relief program designed to support low-income families hit by soaring global fuel prices, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Friday.
Speaking at a weekly cabinet meeting, the prime minister stated that the government launched a four-round emergency assistance initiative scheduled for Sept. 25, Oct. 16, Nov. 16, and Dec. 16.
Hun Manet added that the initiative aims to alleviate the livelihood burdens of the 4.6 million affected people across the Southeast Asian country.
Under the subsidy structure, poor, vulnerable, and at-risk families in the capital city of Phnom Penh will receive 15 U.S. dollars per round, while those in provincial towns and rural areas will receive 12 dollars and 10 dollars, respectively.
Additionally, each individual family member will receive an extra 1.25 dollars per round.
The relief efforts come as retail fuel prices in Cambodia continue to surge this week due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
Ministry data shows the price of regular gasoline has risen to 5,250 riels (about 1.29 dollars) per liter, a 36.3-percent increase compared to levels before the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, diesel prices have climbed to 5,450 riels per liter, representing a 58.4 percent spike. ■
