Concerns over food shortages in the Red Zones are dismissed by the Phnom Penh administration

Cambodia Compass report, 15th May - To monitor the spread of COVID-19 in the capital, Phnom Penh City Hall will continue to use a three-color zone system, and officials have slammed critics who claim the steps, especially in red zones, have resulted in food shortages.

Officials from the municipal administration have abolished the lockout steps that were imposed on April 15, but the city's red, orange, and yellow zones will remain in effect. The new areas, which were announced on Wednesday, resulted in a reduction in red zones, with City Hall stating that it desired more tailored restrictions to reduce the case count.

A night curfew of 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. remains in effect, as does dine-in at restaurants and the selling of alcoholic beverages.

Keut Chher, Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh, urged residents to follow the city's health and administrative steps. People in the red and orange areas, he said, should be careful with authorities.

“We are also aware that those of you who live in the red and orange zones will face difficulties as the [lockdown] continues, but we don't have any other choice to secure the lives of others,” he said.

Residents in red zones are not allowed to leave their homes unless it is for medical reasons. All commercial activity is prohibited, including at public markets, and the government has assumed responsibility for supplying food and essential goods to people in the red zones.

Food shortages have resulted in red zones, prompting rights organizations to call on the government to ensure that food is distributed fairly. These allegations have been refuted by local officials, who say that the demonstrations for food aid are politically motivated.

Critics of the government's lockdown initiatives, according to Keut Chher, are only "shouting contrary opinions" and aren't helping the government save people from food shortages.

At the same press conference, he said, "When we talk about this party, we don't want to say anything because they don't spend any time with us and [they] never join us." “How about we ask them if they're doing anything?” “Not a single thing!”

He also mocked opponents for lacking the ability to enter the red zones and distribute relief to citizens suffering food shortages. Human Rights Watch, on the other hand, has chastised the Cambodian government for barring UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations from entering the red zones.

According to a Human Rights Watch statement from May 5, red zone restrictions have impacted 300,000 people.

“For weeks, several people have been unable to access food, medicines, or other necessities. According to the release, “local and international organizations have demonstrated their willingness to assist those who are most directly affected, but authorities have denied them access.”

Theng Savoeun, the president of the Cambodian Farmer Community Coalition, believes that municipal officials should listen to their opponents and seek to better assist people who are experiencing food shortages, regardless of their political affiliations. Apart from food shortages, he said people in red zones were worried about paying rent and electricity bills because they had lost income as a result of the tightened lockdown.

“What they're concerned about is payments,” he said, “which means [they] don't have enough money to pay rent, water, or energy bills.” “If the lockdown persists, the Phnom Penh administration, as well as the [national] government, will have to consider providing special assistance to them.”

Source: Cambodia Compass comprehensive arrangement

Editor: Malinda         Chief Editor: Sunnie         General in Chief/Executive Producer: Nicole

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