Project Description
The Royal Government of Cambodia aimed to improve national water security through the Cambodia Water Security Improvement Project (CWSIP), supported by the World Bank. Aligned with the National Water Resource Management and Sustainable Irrigation Strategy and Long-Term Investment Plan (2019–2033), the initiative sought to enhance integrated water resources management and sustainable irrigation services across the country. With projected investments of up to USD 2.6 billion, the CWSIP emphasized a holistic approach, balancing supply and demand, and integrating upstream and downstream interventions. To support Component 1 of the project, ICEM was engaged to assess the potential of nature-based solutions (NBS) and green infrastructure (GI) to strengthen water security and resilience to floods and droughts in key eastern Cambodian watersheds.
Objectives, Activities and Results
The main objective was to identify and prioritize nature-based solutions that enhance climate resilience and mitigate flood and drought risks. ICEM conducted three main activities. First, the team assessed flood and drought risks through hydrological modelling, development of hazard maps, and spatial vulnerability analysis based on land use, infrastructure, and socio-economic conditions. Second, ICEM identified and prioritized effective and feasible NBS measures through technical evaluations, cost-benefit analyses, and participatory processes. Third, the project included an economic valuation of hydrological ecosystem services under different land-use and management scenarios. The results informed strategic planning for climate-resilient water management in Cambodia’s eastern watersheds.
