The Ministry of Environment and its partners have gifted a rainwater drainage system and seven model climate-resilient houses to impoverished families in Preah Sihanouk province’s Prey Nop district.
The new facilities are part of the $5 million Climate Change Adaptation through Small-Scale Infrastructure Interventions in Coastal Settlements of Cambodia (CCA4CS)” project, which aims to strengthen climate change adaptation.
The inauguration ceremony for the drainage system, near Veal Renh market, and the handover of the new homes, took place on October 27, and was presided over by Pheav Sovuthy, undersecretary of state at the environment ministry.
He noted that the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly severe, especially in coastal regions, bringing stronger winds, storms, rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns and saltwater intrusion into agricultural areas.
“These model climate-resilient houses are designed with special features — stronger structures that can withstand high winds, with good lighting and ventilation,” he explained.
He urged the beneficiary families to care for and maintain their new homes for long-term use, to live in clean and hygienic surroundings, to plant more trees around their homes and to maintain the drainage system for sustained effectiveness.
The project, which began in March 2021 and is set to conclude in November this year, has been implemented in Kep and Preah Sihanouk provinces. It is managed by the Department of Climate Change under the General Department of Policy and Strategy of the ministry, in coordination with the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), with each province directly implementing activities.
The event was attended by Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Mang Sineth, Odicea Angelo Barrios, regional representative of UN-Habitat Asia-Pacific, Sok Vanna, UN-Habitat Country programme manager for Cambodia, as well as other officials and about 600 residents.
The governor emphasised the importance of this project and expressed deep gratitude to environment minister Eang Sophalleth for his continued support to Kep and Preah Sihanouk provinces in addressing climate change impacts.
He stated that the project had been implemented effectively, transparently and sustainably, and should serve as a model initiative linking national policy with practical climate adaptation efforts at the local level.
“The new drainage system has quickly reduced flooding around Veal Renh market, which previously experienced severe inundation during heavy rains. As for the seven model houses, the province selected, assessed, and monitored the construction process directly to ensure they were provided to genuinely poor and vulnerable families without other means of support,” he said.
The project’s main goals are to enhance climate resilience and adaptive capacity in vulnerable coastal settlements in Cambodia, particularly those with eco-tourism potential, according to the Preah Sihanouk provincial administration.
Key achievements of the project include restoration of 58.9 hectares of mangrove forest, repair of water gates and canals to prevent saltwater intrusion, design and construction of climate-resilient housing, installation of drainage and rainwater systems at Veal Renh Market and the establishment of a weather station and wave-height monitoring system with an early warning mechanism in Ou Oknha Heng commune, Prey Nop district.
