PHNOM PENH, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has called the first phase of its 40 million U.S. dollars emergency food program a success, state media reported Monday.

    "This assistance is making a very real difference in the lives of Cambodia's most vulnerable," ADB country director Arjun Goswami was quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as saying.

    He added that the program had effectively reached those in need and said the Cambodian government was to be praised for its efforts.

    Meanwhile, the government on Monday launched its investigation with ADB observance into complaints that the food aid was not distributed fairly.

    The ADB did not release the number of complaints but described them as "relatively limited" in quantity.