Asean Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve 

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The ceremonial handover of 78-MT rice contributed by Japan through the APTERR’s Tier 3 programme was conducted on 30 April 2021, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia under stringent measures for the Covid-19 situation. The rice assistance aims at mitigating people’s sufferings from adverse impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Cambodia, His Excellency Mr. Veng Sakhon, presided over the ceremony and also expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan as well as the APTERR for the contribution.

 

The General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA), MAFF led by Director General, Dr. Ngin Chhay in cooperation with the Phnom Penh municipality will distribute the said rice to 2,583 beneficiaries, particular those affected in the lockdown areas. This rice is part of 300-MT under Japan’s contribution to Tier 3’s FY2020 pre-positioned programme. It has been stored at GDA’s warehouses since December 2020 to prepare for unprecedented disasters.

 

In the meantime, 222 MT of rice has already been released to people affected by severe drought and floods in six provinces of Cambodia, including Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Prey Veng, Pursat, Kampong Thom and Thbong Khmum. 

 

Photo credit: GDA, Cambodia