In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, First Lady Dr Pich Chanmony officially launched the “10,000 Riel, 10,000 People” Campaign 2026 while meeting with members of the Cambodia Kantha Bopha Foundation’s support committee and private sector donors who continue contributing to the foundation’s humanitarian mission. The campaign aims to encourage nationwide participation in supporting Kantha Bopha Hospitals, which provide free healthcare services to mothers and children across the country.

During the ceremony, Dr Chanmony, who serves as the Honorary President of the Cambodia Kantha Bopha Foundation, conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Hun Manet to all guests and participants attending the event. She also expressed sincere gratitude to ministries, institutions, development partners, private companies, and Cambodian citizens for their ongoing support through both financial donations and volunteer contributions.

National Unity Through Charity

In her remarks, Dr Chanmony highlighted the strong spirit of solidarity among Cambodian people, noting that public participation in the campaign reflects a culture of compassion and mutual support. She stated that “regardless of time or place, Cambodians always care for and help one another.”

The campaign was launched in celebration of International Children’s Day and aims to inspire charitable activities across all sectors of society. Students, civil servants, private institutions, and Cambodian communities living both inside and outside the country are being encouraged to take part in supporting the foundation’s work.

Organisers believe the campaign represents more than fundraising alone. It also serves as a national movement promoting the spirit of “Khmer helping Khmer” while strengthening social responsibility throughout the country.

Supporting Cambodia’s Children and Families

This year’s campaign carries the theme: “No matter the circumstances, Cambodians continue to help Cambodians.”

Dr Chanmony expressed hope that the “10,000 Riel, 10,000 People” initiative would become one of Cambodia’s major annual national events. She said wider public participation would help ensure the long term sustainability of Kantha Bopha Hospitals, which continue providing high quality healthcare services free of charge and without discrimination.

The hospitals play a critical role in caring for mothers, infants, and children, especially those from poor and vulnerable families who rely heavily on accessible medical treatment. Through continued donations and public support, the foundation hopes to maintain and expand these essential healthcare services for future generations.

Growing Public and Private Sector Support

The launch event also highlighted the growing partnership between the Cambodia Kantha Bopha Foundation and the private sector. Businesses and development partners continue to contribute resources and financial assistance to strengthen Cambodia’s healthcare system and support child welfare programs.

Many supporters view the campaign as a meaningful opportunity for individuals and organisations to contribute directly to improving healthcare access for children across the country. Organisers are optimistic that stronger public awareness and participation will help the campaign grow significantly in the coming years.

Conclusion

The launch of the “10,000 Riel, 10,000 People” Campaign 2026 reflects Cambodia’s continuing commitment to supporting vulnerable children and families through collective action and national solidarity. Led by First Lady Dr Pich Chanmony, the initiative encourages people from all walks of life to contribute toward the sustainability of Kantha Bopha Hospitals and ensure free healthcare remains available for future generations. As the campaign expands nationwide, it also reinforces the enduring spirit of compassion and unity among Cambodians.

• A journalist asked me that in the past, both civil society organizations and some government officials have often disagreed on the standards of human rights practice in Cambodia.

Article 31 of the Constitution, the Kingdom of Cambodia recognizes and respects human rights as enshrined in the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its conventions and conventions on human rights. Women’s rights and children’s rights. Therefore, execution contrary to this supreme law is not right.

Is Online Data Misleading? PM Hun Manet’s Urgent Advice to Researchers.

In an era where digital resources are readily available, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Manet has emphasized the importance of collecting data directly from the ground rather than relying solely on Google. His remarks, made during the opening ceremony of the “Cambodia Vision Conference 2025 on Cambodia’s New Growth Strategy,” highlight the necessity of accurate, context-specific research in policy formulation. This blog post explores why the Prime Minister’s advice is crucial for Cambodia’s sustainable development and the implications of data-driven policymaking.

The Dangers of Relying on Incorrect Information

PM Hun Manet strongly warned against the reliance on unverified digital sources, stating: “If the information we collect is wrong, the decisions will be wrong, the policy formulation will be wrong, and it will cause us a lot of losses.” His concern is well-founded—flawed data leads to misguided policies, inefficient resource allocation, and ineffective interventions.

For instance, policies based on outdated or generalized online statistics may not reflect the current realities of Cambodia’s economic, social, and environmental landscape. By prioritizing ground-level data collection, researchers can ensure that policy decisions align with real-time conditions and needs.

The Importance of Primary Data Collection

The Prime Minister stressed that primary data collection through surveys, field research, and direct consultations with relevant stakeholders is vital. He emphasized that without firsthand information, the government risks overlooking critical areas that require intervention. Regular visits, scientific studies, and sector-specific surveys ensure that the collected data accurately represents the local context.

One example of this approach is Cambodia’s agricultural sector. Policymakers cannot rely on global agricultural reports alone to shape local farming policies. Instead, they must gather firsthand insights from Cambodian farmers, assess soil conditions, and study market demands. This ensures that policies directly address farmers’ challenges and contribute to food security and economic stability.

Customizing Policies to Cambodia’s Needs

Another key takeaway from Hun Manet’s speech was his assertion that Cambodia should not blindly adopt policies designed for other nations. “We cannot copy the policies that the World Bank has written for other countries to implement in Cambodia,” he stated. While global best practices can serve as references, every country has unique socio-economic conditions, cultural contexts, and development priorities.

For example, Cambodia’s labor market policies must consider factors like demographic trends, urban migration, and skill development. Simply implementing models from Western economies without adapting them to Cambodia’s realities would result in ineffective labor strategies. The only way to craft relevant policies is through localized data collection and analysis.

Ensuring Scientific and Sector-Specific Analysis

PM Hun Manet also highlighted the need for scientific and sector-specific analysis in policy development. He cautioned against cross-sector misapplications of data, stating: “Don’t take data from the manufacturing sector and go to assess the sentiment and desires of the service sector.” Each industry has distinct challenges and opportunities, necessitating tailored research approaches.

For instance, analyzing consumer sentiment in Cambodia’s hospitality industry requires direct engagement with tourists, hotel operators, and travel agencies. Using generalized economic data from unrelated industries would lead to misguided conclusions and ineffective tourism policies.

The Role of CDRI in Research and Policy Formulation

The Prime Minister acknowledged the Cambodian Development Research and Training Institute (CDRI) as an essential institution in the country’s research and policy framework. Described as Cambodia’s “brain bank,” CDRI has played a significant role in collecting and analyzing data for over 35 years. Its contributions to policy discussions, such as those in the Cambodia Vision Conference 2025, help shape the nation’s long-term development strategies.

The 2025 conference aimed to evaluate Cambodia’s economic performance and identify priority areas for improvement. By facilitating dialogue among national and international experts, the conference underscores the importance of evidence-based policymaking in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Avoiding Sentiment-Based Policy Decisions

Another critical point made by PM Hun Manet was the warning against sentiment-based policymaking. “Do not use sentiment analysis as a basis for policy making,” he stated. Emotional or anecdotal perspectives, while valuable in understanding public opinion, should not be the primary drivers of national policies.

Instead, Cambodia’s policy framework must rely on data-driven insights. This requires continuous monitoring and supervision of policy implementation, allowing adjustments based on tangible results rather than speculative assumptions.

A Future Built on Reliable Data

PM Hun Manet’s message is clear: Cambodia’s development relies on accurate, localized, and scientifically grounded data collection. By prioritizing ground-level research, policymakers can craft informed and effective strategies that truly address national needs. As Cambodia continues its journey toward sustainable growth, ensuring the integrity of its research and data collection practices will be key to successful governance.

The challenge now lies in implementing these principles across all sectors. Researchers, policymakers, and institutions like CDRI must work together to uphold data quality standards and drive Cambodia’s progress forward.

What are your thoughts on this approach to policymaking? Do you think ground-level data collection is the key to effective governance? Share your views in the comments!