ADB approves increased support for WASH services in Cambodia

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved US$93.6 million in loans and grants to improve and expand climate-resilient and inclusive rural water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services for 88,000 households in 400 villages in 50 communes across nine provinces in Cambodia.

Villagers access water from a well rehabilitated with ADB support. (Photo: ADB)

According to an ADB press release, the Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Improvement Sector Development Programme will support the government's efforts to provide universal access to safely managed water supply services and basic hygiene facilities in rural areas, and to increase access to safely managed sanitation facilities while addressing affordability.

The programme aims to increase private sector participation in the provision of water services. It also aims to ensure the climate resilience of WASH facilities by better integrating climate change considerations into planning, design and implementation. The programme will strengthen coordination among stakeholders and decentralise functions to ensure effective service delivery.

"The programme supports 'WASH for all' by prioritising rural populations in remote areas. It proposes reforms to strengthen governance in the management of community-managed WASH facilities and to strengthen government planning for sustainability and climate resilience," said Ms Jyotsana Varma, ADB Country Director for Cambodia.

The programme includes a US$3 million grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific to help finance the expansion of WASH facilities in the provinces where poor rural people face the greatest challenges in accessing safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. Support will focus on the provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Speu, Kampot, Kratie, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Vihear and Stung Treng.

Villagers in Phnom Dey commune, Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia, access water from a well rehabilitated with ADB support. (Photo: ADB)

Technical assistance of US$600,000, financed by the Sanitation Financing Partnership Trust Fund under the Water Financing Partnership Facility, will strengthen the government's capacity to implement key sector reforms under the programme.

ADB has been supporting Cambodia's water supply, sanitation, and hygiene sector at the national and subnational levels since 2005. More than 1 million people have already benefited from ADB-supported WASH services, particularly in the provinces along the Tonle Sap Lake.