5 December 2024, Phnom Penh, Cambodia – A handover ceremonyof the rehabilitated drainage system under the Adaptation Fund Project took place in Prey Nob District, Preah Sihanouk Province.

Background

The drainage system was rehabilitated under the funding of the Adaptation Fund and implemented by UN-Habitat and the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD). The project aims at climate change adaptation and resilience of the most vulnerable coastal human settlements of Kep and Prey Nob through protective small-scale infrastructure interventions.

Stormwater flooding in front of Veal Renh Market caused socio-economic impacts recurrently because the stretch of land between the road and the market area has the lowest elevation level, and the drainage system is too small to deal with the increasingly intense rainfall events. For example, heavy rain from midnight on September 27, 2020, until noon also caused a serious flood in front of Veal Renh Market. Sellers lost around 30 days’ income per year as a result.

Therefore, the project rehabilitated the drainage on both sides of the road (578 me long on the right side, and 482 m on the left side) with 1.2 m width and depth between 1.2 m and 1.8m. By recognizing poor solid waste management systems and clogging of the drainage system with solid wastes, the project also installed garbage traps and eco-treatment plants in the drainage.

Handover Ceremony

The handover ceremony was presided over by His Excellency Pheav Sovuthy, Under Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment and a Chair of Project Management Committee. It was attended by Mr. Vanna Sok, Country Programme Manager of UN-Habitat Cambodia, Ms. Khok Vichetratha, Deputy Director of the Department of Climate Change, General Directorate of Policy and Strategy, Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Nay Sally, Deputy Head of Administration, Preah Sihanouk provincial administration, Mr. Liv Chuy Ling,  Head of the Economic and Community Development Office of Prey Nob District, Deputy Head of Administration, Preah Sihanouk provincial administration as well as local authorities and communities.

H.E Pheav Sovuthy stressed appreciation for the stakeholders to complete the rehabilitation of the drainage system. He was delighted to see the rehabilitated drainage system, which is impactful in protecting market sellers and communities from economic and safety risks due to flooding.

“The rehabilitated drainage system protected local people from flooding during the rainy season this year, even though we recurrently suffered from flooding before the project intervention,” said Mr. Ngov Thanin, Veal Renh commune chief.

Mr. Vanna Sok also requested joint efforts of local authorities and residents for proper maintenance, especially before and during the rainy season. Proper maintenance is essential to prevent the flooding risk because of the blockage of drainage with solid waste.