Strengthening Water Resources Management for Climate-Resilient and Inclusive WASH Services

The University of Technology Sydney - Institute for Sustainable Futures

Climate Resilience Research (WRA-CR07)

Research theme: Climate-resilient water safety planning

Research focus: Practical application of water safety planning in Cambodia to progress climate-resilient, inclusive WASH services in Cambodia. 

Location: Kampong Chhnang and Pursat Province, Cambodia

Partners: University of Technology Sydney - Institute for Sustainable Futures (UTS-ISF), Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI), Thrive Networks/East Meets West Cambodia, WaterAid Cambodia and Cambodia Water Supply Association (CWA)

"This is an important project for WASH programs in Cambodia and has been designed to inform and support WASH organisations and government agencies wishing to make WASH more climate-resilient. We are fortunate to have a really strong and influential project team of five partner organisations from Cambodia and Australia. This project will also help to inform key government agencies who have recently developed water safety planning guidelines, as well as the broader WASH sector about how these tools can be used for maximum impact.” 

Melita Grant, University of Technology Sydney - Institute for Sustainable Futures and project coordinator

Research Description

Cambodia is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its dependence on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, water resources, forestry, fisheries, and tourism, which are crucial for economic growth and the livelihoods of the population.

Projected climate change trends indicate that Cambodia will experience more severe and unpredictable floods and droughts, which will have a significant impact on the country’s GDP, potentially reducing it by nearly 10% by 2050. These climate change impacts are expected to worsen existing issues of wealth and income inequality and hinder poverty alleviation efforts. 

Given these threats and the interconnectedness of climate change and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues, this research aims to analyse tools and frameworks for risk and resilience assessments and their application to the needs of Cambodia’s water service authorities and providers. The objective of the research is to support CSOs and government to implement water safety planning in Cambodia that is inclusive and climate-resilient.

This research focuses on the involvement of WASH CSOs and other associations in the development of Water Safety Plan guidelines and how these updated guidelines can be effectively implemented in their work.

WASH CSOs and associations are crucial in identifying affordable and effective water treatment methods for the people of Cambodia. The findings of this research are providing valuable insights for policymakers and contributing to improving the guidelines by highlighting strengths and areas that need attention. Additionally, the research emphasises the importance of community participation, including women and people from minority groups, in decision-making processes related to water safety planning and services in Cambodia.

This project aims to comprehensively engage in various research activities, including documenting and capturing the involvement of WASH CSOs and associations in water resources management, reviewing new tools and frameworks, analysing risk and resilience assessments, and assessing the leadership and empowerment initiatives for local communities, women, and people with disabilities.

The research involves quantitative data analysis through surveys, and qualitative data including key informant interviews, observations and focus group discussions. It integrates gender responsiveness and social inclusion as cross-cutting themes in water safety planning, to ensure equal resource access and promote gender inclusion.

The research activities have been co-developed and designed by implementing partners in collaboration with key stakeholders at the national, provincial and local levels. The researchers have planned policy dialogues with government stakeholders to stimulate discussions on actionable research findings and progress climate-resilient inclusive WASH.

Pathways to impact

To shape climate-resilient, inclusive water safety planning in Cambodia, researchers are undertaking mixed methods research which involves:

1. Participatory action research in local communities in two provinces.
2. Capacity development and integration of GEDSI approaches.
3. Implementation of water safety planning with an emphasis on climate resilience.
4. Stakeholder coordination, implementation monitoring, reporting and dissemination of research findings.

“The workshop supports the co-developing [of] the key elements of the research plan and communications plan and also sharing information with partners relevant to the research framework and questions. This marks the beginning of our joint project, and we are excited to see how our shared vision will unfold.”

Cambodia Development Resource Institute researcher 

Feature photo: Research partners engage in a lively brainstorming session, unleashing their inputs to generate groundbreaking ideas for the project plan (Cambodia Development Resource Institute)