Cambodia to Mobilize Funds to Tackle El Nino Threats

Detailed summary

PHNOM PENH – As El Nino intensifies, the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) has formed a working group to mobilize funds and prepare ...

PHNOM PENH – As El Nino intensifies, the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) has formed a working group to mobilize funds and prepare actions to combat its impacts on wildlife, water storage and forest fires.

The working group followed a roundtable discussion on El Nino Preparedness in Cambodia, led by Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment and Chairman of the NCSD, on November 5.

The new working group will strengthen efforts to mobilize funds and align with the Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0). The NDC 3.0 aims to enhance climate adaptation in line with national priorities and the 1.5°C target under the Paris Agreement.

Khvay Atitya, spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, said the working group is necessary because the NCSD needs to study, plan and respond to El Nino impacts.

“This working group is established under the NCSD, which is not at the national level. The NCSD includes the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Rural Development and others,” Atitya said.

He also said that although Cambodia is vulnerable to climate change, it remains committed to addressing the issue and collaborates with international organizations through the Circular Strategy on Environment.

El Nino is forecast to increase temperatures, cause water shortages and lead to forest fires from February to May 2027.

Cambodia has set two priorities to combat the effects of El Nino. The first is to reserve and provide water for vulnerable communities, monitor fish catches and assess the risk of forest fires. The second is to protect the health of patients and students from extreme heat, with appropriate measures from each ministry.

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