The government has extended the cash handout programme for poor and vulnerable people during the Covid-19 pandemic into a seventh round lasting for three months from October to December.

Chhour Sopanha, director of the social welfare department at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, told The Post on October 2 that the programme was to end at the end of September, but due to the prolonged pandemic, the government decided to extend financial support for three more months.

“This programme ... will end when the pandemic subsides. Now the situation is not good and still affects people’s livelihoods, so the government decided to extend financial assistance,” he said.

Sopanha said from the start of the programme on June 25 till September 24, the government had spent more than $440 million, benefiting 750,000 families.