Many families in Cambodia still feel anxious about the financial pressure of pregnancy and childbirth, but a new cash support program from the Royal Government of Cambodia is designed to remove that fear. Through the National Social Security Fund or NSSF, pregnant women now receive financial assistance from the moment they are expecting until their child reaches two years old. The goal is simple yet powerful: protect the health of mothers and babies while making sure no family is held back by money during this critical time. This long term support helps cover medical checkups, delivery costs, and ongoing child health care, giving parents peace of mind and allowing them to focus on what truly matters, the well being of their newborn.

How the Three Stage Subsidy System Works

The government has organized the subsidy into three clear stages based on key health milestones. During pregnancy, mothers receive four separate cash payments tied to specific checkups before 12 weeks, between 20 to 24 weeks, from 30 to 32 weeks, and again from 36 to 38 weeks. These visits encourage early and regular monitoring to ensure both mother and baby stay healthy. At the time of delivery, mothers receive a larger payment to help cover the costs of giving birth. After the baby is born, the support continues with funding for 10 additional maternal and child health checkups until the child reaches 24 months of age. This means families receive help not only at birth but throughout the most important early years of a child’s life.

Extra Protection When Families Face Difficult Situations

The program is not limited to ideal circumstances. The government has also built in special protection for families who experience heartbreaking situations such as stillbirth or maternal death during childbirth. In these moments, financial assistance continues to help ease the burden on loved ones, ensuring they are not left struggling during an already painful time. This safety net reflects a broader commitment by the state to protect vulnerable families and uphold the dignity and well being of every mother and child.

Three Simple Conditions to Qualify for the Benefits

To receive these benefits, pregnant women and children under two years old must meet three straightforward conditions.

1. The mother must hold a valid NSSF membership card.

2. All medical checkups must be done at a public health center or referral hospital, which ensures that services are properly recorded and meet national health standards.

3. Once the mother is registered in the program, the child is automatically included by presenting the child health card. These steps make the process easier and ensure families receive the full range of support they are entitled to.

Documents You Need to Prepare Before Registering

To make registration smooth and quick, female NSSF members are advised to prepare four important documents. These include a Cambodian identity card, an NSSF membership card, a telephone number and bank account number approved by NSSF, and a maternal health book issued by a public health facility. This health book confirms key details such as the age of the first child and helps ensure that all payments and medical records are properly tracked.

Conclusion

This NSSF cash subsidy program shows how Cambodia is investing in its future by protecting mothers and young children when they need it most. By offering financial support from pregnancy through the first two years of a child’s life, the government is reducing stress for families, encouraging better health care, and helping every child get a stronger start in life. For working women and their families, this program is not just financial aid, it is a promise that no mother will face childbirth alone or without support.

A Nationwide Prayer for Peace and Protection

In a solemn and deeply symbolic gathering, 1250 Buddhist monks joined by approximately 500 lay Buddhists assembled on Sunday evening at Wat Botumvatey Rajavararam in Phnom Penh to pray for peace, national unity, and the protection of civilians as Cambodia continues to seek an end to its border conflict with Thailand. The large scale ceremony reflected a collective spiritual response to the ongoing tensions, underscoring the role of faith as a unifying force during a period of national uncertainty and concern for human safety.

Religious Leadership and National Presence

The prayer ceremony began at 6 p.m. on December 29 and was presided over by Samdech Preah Puth Chey Mony Khim San, the Third Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Maha Nikaya Order. Senior Buddhist leaders, government officials, and distinguished guests were present, including Pich Chanmony Hun Manet, highlighting the close connection between religious institutions and national leadership at a time of crisis. Their attendance reinforced the message that peace, stability, and compassion are shared responsibilities across spiritual and civic spheres.

A Message of Unity to the World

According to organizers, the gathering was intended to demonstrate Khmer national unity and to send a clear signal to the international community that Cambodia remains committed to resolving the conflict through peaceful, lawful, and humanitarian means. By choosing prayer over protest and spiritual solidarity over confrontation, participants emphasized Cambodia’s desire for dialogue, restraint, and adherence to international law rather than escalation.

Buddhist Practices Dedicated to Peace and Sacrifice

Throughout the ceremony, monks and lay participants chanted prayers, observed Buddhist precepts, practiced meditation, and spread loving kindness to all beings. Merit was dedicated to Cambodian soldiers who lost their lives while defending national sovereignty, blending spiritual remembrance with national respect. These practices reflected core Buddhist values of compassion, nonviolence, and mindfulness as guiding principles during times of conflict.

Public Call for an End to Hostilities

Beyond spiritual devotion, the event served as a moral appeal to society, encouraging citizens to demand peace through Buddhist principles and to reaffirm their collective wish for an immediate end to hostilities. The prayers echoed a broader public desire to see the conflict resolved swiftly, humanely, and in accordance with international humanitarian standards, ensuring safety and dignity for all affected communities.

Diplomacy Amid a Fragile Ceasefire

The mass prayer took place as Cambodia continues to implement a fragile ceasefire and intensify diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring stability and securing the safe return of displaced civilians. The spiritual gathering complemented these political and diplomatic initiatives, reinforcing the message that peace requires both institutional action and the shared will of the people.

Conclusion

This historic prayer gathering at Wat Botumvatey Rajavararam stood as a powerful reminder that in moments of conflict, Cambodia turns to unity, faith, and compassion as pillars of national strength. By combining spiritual practice with a clear call for peaceful resolution, the event reflected a nation seeking not victory through force, but lasting peace through understanding, law, and humanity.

A Nation United in a Powerful Call for Peace

Tens of thousands of Cambodians gathered in Phnom Penh on December 18, 2025, sending a clear and unified message calling for peace following Thailand’s renewed military aggression against Cambodia on December 7. The large scale public demonstration reflected deep national concern and a shared desire to protect stability, sovereignty, and human life. Citizens from all walks of life came together in a show of solidarity, reinforcing Cambodia’s longstanding commitment to peaceful resolution and regional harmony at a time of heightened tension along the border.

March for Peace Reflects Cambodia’s Commitment to Stability

The collective voices of the crowd were heard during the March for Peace Together for Peace, organized by the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia. The march began at the Night Market area, moved through Samdech Chuon Nath roundabout, and concluded at the park near the Independence Monument. Beyond symbolic unity, the event aimed to urge respect for the ceasefire and the peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, while demonstrating to the international community that Cambodia seeks dialogue and reconciliation rather than conflict.

Leadership Sends a Strong Message to the World

Leading the march, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Service H.E. Hun Many, who also serves as President of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia, emphasized the broader meaning behind the gathering. “We are all witnessing the consequences of war. This is the second border clash in the seven-month conflict, and the Cambodian people are fully aware of the dangers of war,” he said. His remarks underscored the collective awareness of the human cost of conflict and the urgency of preventing further escalation.

Humanitarian Impact Highlights the Cost of Conflict

H.E. Hun Many detailed the severe toll of the ongoing tensions, noting that 18 innocent civilians have lost their lives and 79 others have been injured. Approximately 470,000 people have been forced to flee their homes to seek safety, while more than 1,000 schools have been closed and critical infrastructure damaged. He also acknowledged that Thailand has suffered similar devastation, reinforcing that war brings loss on all sides. Over the past seven months, both Cambodian and Thai communities have endured fear, tragedy, and destruction, strengthening Cambodia’s call for peace and reconciliation.

Runners Rally in Solidarity Through RUN FOR OUR HEROES

In another powerful display of unity, more than 4,000 runners gathered at Koh Pich for RUN FOR OUR HEROES, a three kilometer charity run held in solidarity with Cambodian frontliners and displaced civilians affected by the border situation. Supported by the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia, The Many Foundation, and OCIC, and co organized by 16 running clubs, the event brought together the wider Phnom Penh community around a shared humanitarian mission.

Community Action Translates Into Direct Support

The charity run successfully raised over 16,000 dollars, with all funds donated through the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia to support frontline personnel and internally displaced families. The route remained within Koh Pich, starting and finishing at Elysee Tower, creating a safe and peaceful environment for runners, volunteers, and supporters to demonstrate collective action during a time of rising humanitarian needs.

Voices of Unity and Shared Responsibility

Participants emphasized that the event represented more than physical activity. “This event was a chance for our community to show that we are united, that we are standing with those facing hardship,” said Rohit Ouk, Veteran National runner and member of the Elite Runners, who returned following the withdrawal of all Cambodian athletes from the 2025 SEA Games. “Beyond the symbolic act of running together, every step contributes to a larger purpose: to support displaced families, helping them meet basic needs and feel the strength of our collective solidarity.” His words reflected the growing role of community driven initiatives in responding to national challenges.

Health, Safety, and Growing Humanitarian Needs

With more than 470,000 people displaced across seven provinces according to the Ministry of Interior, Koh Pich has become a focal point for solidarity, hosting donation sites and charity initiatives as needs continue to rise nationwide. To ensure participant wellbeing, Intercare Hospital and Khmer Medical Hospital deployed ambulances, doctors, and nurses on site, maintaining health and safety throughout the evening run.

Sport as a Platform for Peace and Hope

“This was not just a run. It was a peaceful gathering to call for unity and to express hope for peace, while standing alongside displaced civilians through collective action,” said Sreyleap SORN, Night Runners representative. Co organized by numerous running clubs across Phnom Penh, RUN FOR OUR HEROES highlighted how sport, civic responsibility, and compassion can come together to support those most affected during a challenging period for the nation.

Conclusion

Together, the March for Peace and RUN FOR OUR HEROES demonstrated the strength of Cambodia’s collective spirit in the face of adversity. From mass public gatherings to grassroots community initiatives, Cambodians have shown a shared commitment to peace, unity, and humanitarian support. These actions send a clear message domestically and internationally that Cambodia seeks stability, reconciliation, and a future free from conflict, grounded in solidarity and compassion for all affected communities.

New Requirements Set for Journalists and Digital Content Producers in Cambodia.

Government Issues Proclamation on Professional Standards

On November 27, 2025, the Ministry of Information released a new proclamation outlining the qualification and professional requirements for individuals working in the fields of information and audiovisual communication. This announcement marks a significant step toward formalizing and improving professional standards within Cambodia’s media landscape. According to the proclamation, independent journalists, online content producers, and public personalities must now obtain a certificate of professional education in journalism and audiovisual studies. This certificate must be issued either by the Ministry of Information or by a training institution officially recognized by the Ministry. The move aims to ensure that all individuals producing public information meet a minimum standard of professional competence.

Elevating Media Quality and Public Information Safety

The Ministry emphasized that these measures are intended to build a more responsible and professional press environment. By establishing clear qualifications for practitioners, the government aims to strengthen journalistic discipline, enhance the credibility of information, and ensure greater public safety in the digital age. The proclamation stresses that the rapid growth of online media and social platforms makes it increasingly important to protect the public from misinformation, unethical reporting, and harmful content. In essence, the new regulations are designed to reinforce journalism as a respected profession and to promote higher-quality information for citizens.

Educational and Professional Criteria for Journalists

According to the Ministry of Information, individuals seeking to work professionally as journalists must meet several conditions. They must be at least 20 years old, hold a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification, and possess a certificate of professional education in journalism and audiovisual studies granted or recognized by the Ministry. Beyond academic requirements, applicants must have completed at least one full year of experience as a reporter, evidenced by a recognition letter from the media organization where they previously worked or a valid employment contract. These criteria ensure that new journalists not only understand the theory of journalism but also demonstrate practical experience in the field.

Additional Requirements for Ethical and Professional Compliance

The proclamation adds further criteria to strengthen ethical standards within the profession. Applicants must have produced news articles for at least three recognized media organizations, proving a consistent track record of journalistic activity. They are also required to provide a residence and conduct letter from their local commune-sangkat along with an official health certificate. Importantly, applicants must have no prior record of publishing articles, videos, images, or content that violate the professional code of ethics, particularly regarding Cambodian culture, social standards, literature, or the Khmer language. This requirement underscores the Ministry’s intention to encourage responsible reporting and uphold national values.