Updated

Cambodia's prime minister says society must mobilize to help deal with the worst drought in at least four decades, which has left about two-thirds of the country's 25 provinces short of water for drinking and other necessities.

Hun Sen said Tuesday in a speech in the northwestern province of Banteay Meanchey that the armed forces, civil servants, the Red Cross and political parties must all pitch in to ensure that adequate water supplies reach people.

He said he has ordered all provincial governors to stay in their home areas to help people instead of attending meetings in the capital.

Cambodia's bigger neighbors to the east and west, Vietnam and Thailand, also are suffering from droughts described as the worst in decades.