EMWF contributes to new publication on Climate-Resilient WASH Systems in Cambodia

We are pleased to share that the research article “Strengthening systems for inclusive climate resilient water, sanitation and hygiene services in Cambodia” has been officially published and is now available as an Open Access resource on ScienceDirect.

The publication includes contributions from EMWF Cambodia team members, including Kim Hor, Bunthoeun Iv, and Vongpisidh Kry, alongside a group of international researchers.

Key insights from the Study

More than 25% of the rural population in Cambodia relies on untreated water sources, while only 37% have access to safely managed sanitation. These challenges are further compounded by climate change and systemic limitations.

The study highlights how Climate-Resilient Water Safety Planning (CR-WSP) can strengthen system resilience through community engagement and adaptive planning approaches. At the same time, it identifies key barriers to implementation, including limited technical capacity, gaps in climate data, and insufficient social inclusion.

Advancing Climate-Resilient WASH Systems

The findings emphasize the importance of strengthening systems—not only infrastructure—to achieve sustainable and climate-resilient water and sanitation services. In particular, the research underscores the critical role of:

• Community engagement
• Multi-stakeholder collaboration
• Inclusive and adaptive governance

EMWF Cambodia continues to integrate these approaches throughout its programming by working closely with communities, government counterparts, civil society organizations, and private sector partners to ensure locally driven and sustainable solutions. The team prioritizes the participation of women, people with disabilities, vulnerable households, and marginalized groups in planning and decision-making processes, while promoting adaptive governance approaches that can respond effectively to evolving climate and development challenges.

A collaborative effort: This publication reflects the strong collaboration among researchers and practitioners working to improve WASH systems in Cambodia. We sincerely thank all partners and contributors for their dedication throughout the research and publication process.

Read the full article here: Strengthening systems for inclusive climate resilient water, sanitation and hygiene services in Cambodia - ScienceDirect