The U.S. pledged $35 million in development aid to Cambodia in the first part of a three-year, $137 million package announced on Wednesday at a ceremony attended by Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon and U.S. Ambassador William Heidt, according to a U.S. Embassy statement.
The funds will go toward USAID programs aimed at “improving the quality of health care, enhancing nutrition for mothers and children, increasing agricultural markets and production, protecting Cambodia’s natural resources, and helping young students improve their reading skills,” it said.
In an email, U.S. Embassy spokesman Jay Raman said “the exact details of the programs will be worked out in the coming months” and would include projects ranging from training on natural disaster recovery to efforts to eliminate tuberculosis and malaria.
The agreement comes after Prime Minister Hun Sen attended the U.S.-Asean Summit in California in February.
The ruling CPP touted Mr. Hun Sen’s participation in the meeting as proof that the U.S. was optimistic about his leadership.
