ASEAN Drought Workshop 2015 18-20 August 2015, Bangkok ,Thailand 1. Mr. Bul Delly, Deputy Director General , MOWRAM 2. Mr. Thong Sokvongsa, Deputy Chief of Office, MoE KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA

Introduction Drought in Cambodia is characterized by loss of water sources caused by the early end or delays in expected seasonal rainfall. Drought severely affects farming productivity especially among rice growing communities who rely solely on rain or river-fed irrigation. Low agricultural yield due to extended drought has increased indebtedness of families and contributed to widespread food shortages.

Introduction Drought Management Programme (DMP) assists the country by preparing vulnerable communities for increasingly frequent and severe drought events through monitoring, analysis and implementation of regional drought adaptation and mitigation strategies.

The main stakeholders Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) Ministry of Environment (MoE) Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) National Red Cross National and international NGOs in the LMB region working on climate change adaptation issues Cambodia National Mekong Committees (CNMC) Local government authorities and local communities in drought prone areas

National Water Policy and Strategy National Strategic Development Plan (2014-2018) National water resources policy (2004) Law on Water Resources Management (2007) Strategy for Agriculture and Water National Rice Policy

Law on Water Resources Management The general purpose of this Law is to foster the effective and sustainable management of the water resources of the Kingdom of Cambodia to attain socio- economic development and the welfare of the people. - The rights and obligations of water users, - The fundamental principles of water resources management, and - The participation of users and their associations in the sustainable development of water resources. With four sub decrees identified: river basin management, water allocation and licensing, water quality, and farmer water user community.

Water Environmental Policies and Management Activities Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Management(1996) (1) Sub-Degree on Water Pollution Control (2) Sub-Degree on Solid Waste Management (3) Sub-Decree on EIA Process (4) Sub-Decree on Air Pollution and Noise Disturbance Control Law on Nature Protection Area (2008)

National Disaster Management Plan Establishment of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) in 2002 Provincial Committees for Disaster Management in 2007 Royal Cambodian Government, NCDM and MoP launched the strategic National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction 2008–2013 (SNAP-DRR) in 2009

Agriculture and Irrigation Programme drought is clearly a key problem and the programme's envisaged approach is to develop and use tools and systems that permit up-scaling of agricultural irrigation and land use experiences to formulate policy recommendations at the provincial and/or national level Land suitability and land and water use planning, including socio-economic valuation of the proposed adaptation and mitigation options Evaluation of economic tools such as water saving incentive systems, water pricing and financing systems; Improved water demand management – i.e. increasing water use efficiency in agriculture for irrigated and non-irrigated systems at multiple scales such as farm, system and the basin; Cropping pattern optimization, particularly where rice is dominant; economic pricing to discourage water-demanding practices Mitigation measures - structural and non-structural cost effective methods for reducing negative impacts of drought:

Mitigation measures Increasing storage and control capacities for surface and groundwater; Improving access to irrigation facilities mainly in the form of medium to small- scale systems (e.g., supplementary irrigation based on water harvesting, conjunctive use of groundwater, and soil water conservation); Improved water reuse, either through groundwater recharge in combination with pumping or through the uses of treated waters; and Managing flow releases from hydropower dams, as well as inter and intra basin water transfer of water from water surplus to water deficient areas.

Climate Change and Adaptation 1. Promote climate resilience through improving food, water and energy security, 2. Reduce vulnerability of sectors, regions, gender and health to climate change impacts, 3. Ensure climate resilience of critical ecosystems (Tonle Sap Lake, Mekong River, coastal ecosystems, highlands etc.), biodiversity, protected areas and cultural heritage sites, 4. Promote low-carbon planning and technologies to support sustainable development of the country 5. Improve capacities, knowledge and awareness about climate change responses, 6. Promote adaptive social protection and participatory approaches in reducing loss and damage, 7. Strengthen institutions and coordination frameworks for national climate change responses and 8. Strengthen collaboration and active participation in regional and global climate change

Integrated Capacity Building Programme Capacity development for drought preparedness, planning and management assessed and strengthened A systematic assessment of relevant drought-related policies and procedures, including sector advisory policy analyses, and technical capacity and capabilities in Country with particular emphasis on trans-boundary drought management issues conducted. Human and institutional development Plan for mobilizing funding and technical support for building up regional and national institutional capacity and technical capabilities for implementing comprehensive and integrated drought mitigation and management strategy and plan developed.

State of Drought in Cambodia

Droughts from 2009-2012 In 2009, 13 provinces out of 24 provinces were affected by severe droughts. 57,965 hectares of rice crops were affected and 2,621 hectares were destroyed. In 2010, 12 provinces out of 24 provinces were affected by severe droughts. 14,103 hectares of transplanted rice were affected by droughts; 3,429 hectares of transplanted rice seedlings and 5,415 hectares of subsidiary crops were damaged. In 2011, drought affected 3804 hectares of rice fields and destroyed 53 hectares. In 2012, drought hit 11 out of 24 provinces, affected 14,190 hectare of rice fields and destroyed 3151 hectares.

Impact of eight most frequently reported Disaster from 1996-2013 Drought is third disaster that threatens sustainable development of Cambodia. It affects on livehood, especially on agriculture, livestock and water is significant.

Impact of Disasters by Year (1996-2013)

Impact of Disasters by Year (1996-2013)

The Management of Drought Risk in the Lower Mekong Basin We do not manage droughts per se. Rather, we attempt to manage drought risk. Drought risks is dependent on the likelihood of occurrence of the drought event under consideration Similarly, drought risk can be reduced by: (i) Reducing the likelihood of drought occurrence (through the provision of water supply for domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural purposes), (ii) Making land-use and assets less drought-prone (drought-proofing), and (iii) Reducing community vulnerability (i.e. increasing community resilience).

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