The Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) received an additional 300,000 doses of SARS-CoV-2 (Sinopharm) from the Red Cross Society of China for the Kingdom’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign.
A ceremonial handover of the vaccines took place on December 15 in the presence of CRC vice-president Khuon Sodary, Chinese embassy councilor Chang Jian, Chinese ambassador Wang Wentian, Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng and many other health officials and CRC leaders and youths.
Chang Jian said at the ceremony that Chin and Cambodia are ironclad friends who share a common destiny and have always supported and assisted each other. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the peoples of China and Cambodia have shared pain and joy as they fought the pandemic together.
“We could not forget the most difficult times when China was fighting Covid-19. King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk provided assistance to us. Prime Minister Hun Sen had also paid a visit to China during the hardest part of the battle. They showed the Chinese people support in their fight against Covid-19,” he added.
He complimented the Cambodian government for its success in the fight against the pandemic and the reopening of socio-economic activities. The government’s efforts have drawn the praise of the Cambodian people and the international community.
Khuon Sodary thanked the Red Cross Society of China for its second gift of vaccines.
“We first received 100,000 doses of vaccines in August 2021, along with over 53 million doses from different sources, especially from China. China made a large contribution to Cambodia’s success in the fight against Covid-19, and its countrywide roll out of the vaccines,” she said.
She added that the government had brought the pandemic under control and reopened the economy – along with society – and was stimulating the growth of the national economy to continue to develop the country.
She continued that the vaccines were precious and highlighted the bonds of friendship, cooperation and solidarity that were seen in the spirit of helping each other during a difficult time.
She added that Cambodia has benefited from a series of assistance from China, including financing, investment in construction, roads, bridges, hospitals and medical equipment.
“We, along with the Red Cross Society of China and various international associations vow to continue our efforts to combat Covid-19, as it is still present. We are continuing to gather national and international forces, and together we will address challenges, while building community resilience and the prosperity of the people by conducting local activities to achieve a global goal,” Sodary said.
She called on people to maintain preventive health measures under the slogan “prevention is better than the cure” and get vaccinated with all doses to ensure the welfare of family members and maintain the stability of economic growth.
