Phnom Penh deputy governor Nuon Pharath, also a member of the committee overseeing the lockdown of the capital, said the government had delivered over 100,000 grocery packages to people who have been experiencing food insecurity in Phnom Penh during the lockdown.

Pharath made the statement while speaking at a press conference regarding the extension of the lockdown in Phnom Penh and Takmao town.

“These past few days we have delivered over 100,000 packages of groceries to brothers and sisters who are living in Phnom Penh. We gave priority to those people living in red zones who are not allowed to leave home,” he said.

He added that the government had provided them with the relief assistance and anyone who wasn’t actually having any trouble feeding themselves should not demand donations because the government’s resources were limited and it could only provide assistance to those most in need of it .

Pharath suggested that those who are still able to support themselves should instead assist the government in helping their less fortunate neighbours right now.

“We don’t have enough packages prepared yet to deliver food to everyone who is experiencing a shortage, so we haven’t been able to provide assistance to everyone who needs it yet in such a short period of time, but we’re establishing mechanisms through Telegram to provide information to those requesting assistance,” Pharath explained.