A Cambodian farmer (Photo: Internet) Phnom Penh (VNA) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has calledon Cambodia to set aside a budget for its poverty reduction goal.
In a report released on September 1, UNDP said if Cambodia spends 1.5 percent ofits Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on social assistance, the number of poorpeople in the country could drop to 3 percent of the total population.
It stressed that Cambodia's poverty reduction goal can be achieved through thedevelopment of social protection systems.
A system of social protection floor will provide cash and in-kind assistance topoor families, especially children, the elderly, the sick and disabled people,it noted.
Nick Beresford, UNDP Resident Representativein Cambodia, said UNDP supports Cambodia for its emergency cash transferprogramme to assist families that are certified as the poor, which has beencarried out since June 2020 as part of efforts in response to the COVID-19pandemic.
According to UNDP, Cambodia's committed public finance management reform hasmade remarkable progress in mobilising resources, managing budget, as well asrestoring budget balance.
The country’s public budget surplus in 2018 isequivalent to approximately 150 million USD, which can nearly close the povertygap if it is used for social safety nets, it said./.
VNA
