PM Hun Sen says all Cambodians must help deal with drought

A couple herds their cows near a pond during a severe dry spell on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Cambodia's prime minister says the country's people must mobilize to help deal with the worst drought in the last four decades, which has left roughly two-thirds of the country's 25 provinces short of water for drinking and other necessities. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) (The Associated Press)

A woman rides her motorbike with her child past a pond during a severe dry spell on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Cambodia's prime minister says the country's people must mobilize to help deal with the worst drought in the last four decades, which has left roughly two-thirds of the country's 25 provinces short of water for drinking and other necessities. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) (The Associated Press)

Cows drink water at a pond during the dry season on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, April 26, 2016. 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.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith) (The Associated Press)

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.