Government officials Monday began a nationwide survey to find more information on the number of dead soldiers and their surviving family members as part of a military demobilization plan.
A government document outlining the survey’s procedures said an estimated 8,147 family members of dead soldiers will be transferred to the care of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
Svay Sitha, undersecretary of state for the Council of Ministers who is heading the government’s demobilization efforts, last week told those conducting the survey that the transfer would help reduce expenses in the military sector.
“(It will) help increase the money we spend on social affairs, the economy, health and education,” Svay Sitha said.
A Ministry of Finance official said the families of dead soldiers will be paid a one-time payment of 15 times their monthly salary.
Officials from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of National Defense will conduct the survey.
