NSAF chairman Samheng Boros speaks at a workshop on strategic budget planning on August 16. NSAF
In 2024, new social assistance initiatives are set to launch, following the completion of several existing programmes under the National Social Assistance Fund (NSAF).
NSAF chairman Samheng Boros said the government has dedicated roughly 10 per cent of this year’s budget to social support for vulnerable groups, expectant mothers, infants and retired public workers and veterans.
“As some subsidy projects wrap up in 2024, we’ll see shifts in budget allocation, but concurrently, we’ll unveil new projects,” he explained.
Boros hinted at a significant project that was previously announced by former Prime Minister Hun Sen – scholarships and allowances for over 1 million youths to pursue vocational training.
“The labour ministry will soon roll out a scheme offering financial aid to roughly 1.5 million underprivileged youths,” he said.
He also touched upon a potential inclusion in the NSAF – the “family package programme”.
Most elements of this programme align with the strategic blueprint of newly-minted Prime Minister Hun Manet.
“[Manet] has charted out some processes he aims to adopt. Consequently, the NSAF will be central in enacting the government’s refreshed strategy,” said Boros.
However, he stopped short of revealing which programmes would conclude, suggesting that Manet would share specifics in due course.
The NSAF, despite being a relatively new entity, shoulders the responsibility of deploying diverse social assistance schemes.
It also administers pensions for retired public servants and veterans nationwide.
Currently, the NSAF manages several programmes, like monetary support for expectant women and children under 2 years old, as well as temporary financial aid for households impacted by Covid-19.
The anticipated family package programme pledges monthly monetary help to needy families in five segments: pregnant women and children under 2, disabled individuals, senior citizens over 60, HIV patients, and educational grants for impoverished students from Grade 1 to 12.
Moeun Tola, executive director of the Centre for Alliance of Labour and Human Rights (CENTRAL), voiced his support on August 21.
“Introducing family packages and financial aid schemes for impoverished youths and students is a commendable move,” he said.
As the government gears up to roll out these new initiatives, there’s a clear directive from the top. Alongside the announcement of the upcoming projects, there’s a strong emphasis on the ethical implementation of these schemes.
As the government prepares to roll out these programmes, Tola urged those involved to ensure fairness, effectiveness and transparency, and to strictly avoid any corruption in the process.
