Three vaccination trucks that Cambodia donated to Laos in December of last year. FN
Cambodia will donate 10 vaccination vehicles to Laos in a handover ceremony slated to take place on March 12 at the Trapeang Kriel International Border checkpoint in Stung Treng province, bordering Laos’ Champasak province.
Ministry of Health spokeswoman Or Vandine will deliver the 10 vehicles on behalf of Prime Minister Hun Sen, according to a March 9 press statement.
“The decision to provide vaccination vehicles to Laos at this time is a symbol of the prime minister’s concern for the health and wellbeing of the Lao people,” it said.
The statement added that it also demonstrates the strengthening of bilateral cooperation and is a truly heartfelt humanitarian gesture by the premier, which illustrates that “Cambodia is a small country with a big heart”.
Cambodia has always adhered to the spirit of friendship, solidarity and cooperation when it came to solving the Covid-19 crisis in the region, it said.
“Cambodia’s precious humanitarian donations will make a significant contribution to Laos’ response to the coronavirus by accelerating its vaccination programme,” it added.
By the end of 2021, Cambodia had already provided three vaccination vehicles, along with 700,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses, to the neighbouring country. This was in addition to the medical equipment and two million masks it had delivered in 2020.
Last year, Cambodia also donated $13 million to Laos, with the government providing $3 million of the funds and the remaining coming from generous private companies.
Separately, the ministry said the success of Cambodia’s vaccination programme continued, with figures now topping 92 per cent, or 15 out of the country’s estimated population of 16 million. Vaccinations had been provided for free to every member of the population aged over three years old.
Ministry secretary of state Youk Sambath said part of Cambodia’s success was its commitment to securing enough vaccines. Between donations and purchases, Cambodia has thus far received more than 43 million doses.
“Vaccines have been provided to people from all walks of life, including children, the elderly, as well as foreigners living and working in Cambodia. We have almost 10 million doses in stock and are continuing to expand the vaccination programme across the country,” she said.
On March 7, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that he would not allow people to receive expired Covid-19 vaccines, even if the Kingdom’s stocks were to become depleted.
