$38 million U.S. aid targets Cambodia's growth

Funds to enhance food safety and biodiversity

The United States, reinforcing its partnership with Cambodia, has announced a new package of over $38 million in aid, underlining its commitment to the Indo-Pacific's prosperity and security. This announcement was made by Administrator Samantha Power in Phnom Penh, highlighting several key areas of cooperation.

The funding includes a significant $29 million Food for Progress award aimed at improving Cambodia’s agricultural sector by refining food safety regulations and enhancing the post-harvest handling of key crops like soybean meal. These efforts will be coupled with training in climate-smart practices and food safety, designed to foster sustainable agricultural development.

Additionally, USAID will invest in the ecological health of the lower Mekong River basin, committing to a five-year project to conserve its threatened biodiversity. This initiative is part of the broader Mekong-US Partnership and reflects a deepened U.S. engagement in the region’s environmental challenges.

Civil society in Cambodia will also benefit, with more than $6 million directed towards enhancing democratic governance, media freedom, and labor rights.  

A further $3 million from the U.S. Department of Labor will support disability rights, particularly targeting the eradication of child and forced labor among vulnerable groups.

This multifaceted support from the U.S. aims to address some of Cambodia’s most pressing challenges in agriculture, environmental conservation, and human rights, fostering a stable, prosperous partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.