PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, as well as local authorities, to stay close to flood victims, effectively assess the situation and make needed interventions if and when necessary.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for more than 6,000 students of the National University of Management on Monday morning, 17 October, the Prime Minister of Cambodia ordered the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and local authorities to remain close to the people who have been hit hard by floods in the country. He said that authorities and officials must always be on the lookout to make accurate assessments and immediate interventions when necessary in order to protect the people and rice crops.

"I urge all agricultural officials, as well as local authorities, not to 'ride horses to look for flowers,' but to stay with the people, to evaluate the situation properly and to remain close with them," said Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The Prime Minister also thanked the Cambodian Red Cross and all others who have distributed aid to the people affected by the recent floods.

Comparing the incidence of flooding between 2020 and 2022, the Prime Minister noted that this year's situation is different because in 2020, the government only made a general intervention, while in 2022 the government has had to first intervene and aid the people who have been hardest hit.