Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic

The Lower Mekong Countries are extremely vulnerable to a host of disasters. Cambodia and Lao PDR have consistently figured among the most disaster-prone countries in the region and the world. Among the various hydrometeorological hazards, floods and droughts are the most critical hazards for both countries.

Fragility/Conflict status:	Not included in the World Bank’s list of fragile countries
Programme type:	Regional multi-year
Funding:	$5.54 million
Duration:	2021-2025
Status:	Ongoing

Key goals

Strengthened governance mechanisms – policies, strategic frameworks, and institutional mechanisms.

Increased capacity of national meteorological services to provide forecasts and warnings.

Enhanced preparedness and response capability to act upon warning and risk information to minimize the impact of disaster on lives, livelihoods, and socio-economic systems.

Improved integration of gender and disability inclusiveness across the early warning – early action value chain.

Progress to date

6 hazards – floods, landslides, drought, lightning strikes, heatwaves, and severe weather – with stronger forecasting and warning ability.

13 regional and national institutions and organizations supported by CREWS in capacity development for enhanced services to the countries.

34 people in Cambodia were introduced to risk mapping concepts in the first steps to developing flood and drought risk maps.

Spotlight

For communities on flood frontlines
Chirou Ti Muoy, a rural community along the Mekong River, is no stranger to floods. Each year they come – and with increasing intensity. Its 6,000 population has seen homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure repeatedly damaged or destroyed – especially in low-lying areas. Flood warning and preparedness measures exist. However direct consultation with residents on their effectiveness revealed what needed to be done differently or better to manage the floods. Warnings with more lead time, more volunteers, training on using the national early warning system, communication to reach last mile groups of people, and properly equipped evacuation shelters. Such inputs will feed into CREWS’ community-based flood management interventions in 3 pilot basins in Cambodia. Chirou Ti Muoy is the first to be identified.

Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic

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Key goals

Progress to date

Spotlight

Implemented by

Operating partners

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