News
Cambodia: Prisons Potential COVID-19 Epicenters
The Cambodian government should take urgent measures to reduce the risk that the country’s severely overcrowded prisons will suffer COVID-19 outbreaks, Human Rights Watch said today. Reducing overcrowding in prisons is important to prevent outbreaks, which would have serious health consequences for prisoners, prison staff, and the ...
World Bank approves $20 million to assist Cambodia fight COVID-19 pandemic
The World Bank has approved a $20 million line of credit from the International Development Association (IDA) to assist Cambodia’s COVID-19 emergency response. This is part of the banks first emergency support package dedicated to fast-track COVID-19 aid. The World Bank said, the funds will help ...
Sok Chan
Rights Group: Myanmar's camps face 'catastrophe' from virus
Hundreds of thousands of people displaced by conflict in Myanmar face a health “catastrophe” from the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, a rights group warned, as international calls grow for an end to fighting. Overcrowded camps with an estimated 350,000 people were “Covid-19 tinderboxes”, Human Rights Watch said. Myanmar ...
Vietnam growth among Asia’s highest despite Covid-19 slump: ADB
The Covid-19 pandemic could see Vietnam’s growth slow down to 4.8 percent this year, but it will remain among Asia’s fastest growing economies. The 4.8 percent GDP growth forecast, compared to over 7 percent in the last two years, is estimated on the basis of a ...
Dat Nguyen
COVID-19 and Cambodia’s human rights concerns
In late January, Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Sen, made a televised statement about the spread of misinformation regarding the COVID-19 virus outbreak originating from Wuhan, China. He also threatened to “kick out” reporters or officials seen wearing a face mask. He said that the real illness ...
Jillian Louis
As COVID-19 hits global economy, Cambodian workers face layoffs
Cambodian garment workers have had their jobs suspended by the thousands as global markets clench and governments enact drastic measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Now, as the US and European economies grind to a halt, local industry insiders warned on ...
ALASTAIR MCCREADY
Laos Shutters Small Checkpoints on Borders With Vietnam, Cambodia, Citing Coronavirus Spread
Laos is shuttering small checkpoints on its borders with Vietnam and Cambodia as part of a bid to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus into the country, where authorities have yet to announce a positive case of the disease caused by the virus (COVID-19). The ...
RFA’s Khmer and Lao Services. Translated by Max Avary and Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Thai lockdown sparks exodus of 60,000 migrant workers: ministry official
About 60,000 migrant workers living in Thailand have fled the country since authorities shut malls and many businesses at the weekend to curb the spread of the coronavirus, a Thai interior ministry official said on Wednesday. Thailand’s latest measures have left many without jobs and prompted ...
Panarat Thepgumpanat
Key Data for Myanmar & COVID-19
Myanmar’s Ministry of Health and Sports confirmed on Monday that two Myanmar nationals who recently arrived from overseas have tested positive for COVID-19 in Chin State and Yangon Region. One had traveled to the United States and another had visited the UK during the past ...
NAN LWIN
Laos confirms two virus cases, more control measures expected
Two Lao nationals living in Vientiane have been infected with coronavirus (COVID-19) after their tests, released at about 9 pm on March 23, were shown to be positive, a task force announced yesterday. The 36-year-old female tour guide and the 28-year-old male worker from Crowne Plaza ...
Souksakhone Vaenkeo