Chan Narith, secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy and Finance and secretary-general of the National Social Protection Council, said on December 22, 2025, that during the armed conflict arising from aggression by the Thai military, the Cambodian government had temporarily adjusted the mechanisms and procedures of its cash transfer programme for pregnant women and children under two. The changes are intended to ensure continued benefits for the target groups and help stabilise their livelihoods.
The temporary changes allow pregnant women and children under two from households holding equity cards in border conflict areas to continue receiving government cash support. The requirement to attend public health facilities for the relevant antenatal, delivery and postnatal check-ups before cash disbursement is waived in those areas.
The current aggression against Cambodia by Thailand has severely affected people’s right to life, particularly the right of pregnant women and children to receive protection.
Chan Narith said the government had introduced the cash transfer programme for pregnant women and children under two in 2019. It encourages attendance at public health facilities before, during and after childbirth until the child reaches two, to improve maternal and infant well-being and help address malnutrition, supporting physical and intellectual development in line with the government’s national social protection policy.
By: Pai Sokhim
