Climate risk and vulnerabilities of Cambodia
Cambodia is highly vulnerable to climate change and multi-hazard risks due to its low-lying floodplains, dependence on the Mekong River and Tonle Sap system, exposure to monsoon rainfall, drought-prone agricultural areas, coastal zones, high rural livelihood dependence on agriculture and fisheries, and limited adaptive capacity among poor and climate-sensitive communities. The country is particularly exposed to floods, droughts, storms, lightning, riverbank erosion, heat stress, saltwater intrusion, coastal hazards, water scarcity, and climate-related food-security risks. Cambodia’s updated NDC identifies the country as especially vulnerable to floods, droughts, windstorms, and seawater intrusion. (UNFCCC). Cambodia is also highly vulnerable to multi-hazard risks, particularly floods, droughts, storms, heat stress, lightning, riverbank erosion, saltwater intrusion, coastal flooding, and ecosystem degradation. Its exposure is shaped by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap flood pulse, extensive low-lying agricultural plains, monsoon rainfall variability, drought-prone provinces, coastal settlements, and high dependence on climate-sensitive sectors such as rice production, fisheries, water resources, rural transport, and natural ecosystems. Climate change is expected to intensify these risks through rising temperatures, more variable rainfall, increased extreme rainfall, longer dry spells, drought stress, flood disruption, sea-level rise, and declining ecosystem services, with serious implications for food security, livelihoods, infrastructure, poverty reduction, and national development.
1. Multi-hazard exposure
Cambodia’s main disaster risks are hydrometeorological. Floods, storms, and droughts are the most prevalent hazards, and GFDRR notes that they are expected to become more pronounced and severe under climate change. Major events have caused substantial losses, including Typhoon Ketsana in 2009 and major floods in 2011 and 2014, with reported damages and losses of US$132 million, US$625 million, and US$357 million, respectively. (GFDRR)
Floods are the dominant economic risk. A GFDRR disaster risk finance profile reports that floods account for around 55% of Cambodia’s total annual economic losses, while droughts account for about 28%; storms and earthquakes represent smaller shares of total losses. (GFDRR)
2. Flood risk and the Mekong–Tonle Sap system
Flooding is central to Cambodia’s risk profile. Most flooding occurs when water levels rise in the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake between early July and early October. While seasonal flooding supports fisheries, floodplain agriculture, wetlands, and ecosystem productivity, extreme or poorly managed flooding can damage homes, schools, health facilities, roads, crops, irrigation systems, and logistics corridors. Cambodia’s NDC notes that flood disruption to logistical corridors has significant impacts on agricultural supply chains, both domestically and for international trade. (UNFCCC)
The Tonle Sap region is particularly exposed. The World Bank’s Cambodia Country Climate and Development Report identifies agricultural land in the Tonle Sap region—especially Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Thom, and Siem Reap—as highly exposed to floods. (Open Knowledge Repository)
3. Drought, heat, and agricultural vulnerability
Drought is Cambodia’s second-largest disaster-loss driver and a major threat to rural livelihoods, food security, and water availability. Rainfall variability causes frequent droughts, with southeast Cambodia and Pailin among the most exposed areas. The World Bank reports that Cambodia’s annual probability of severe drought is around 4%, and that the most exposed provinces—Phnom Penh, Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, and Pailin—are severely affected every five to six years, with more than 30% of cropland experiencing drought stress. (Open Knowledge Repository)
Agriculture is highly vulnerable because many rural households depend on rainfed rice, maize, livestock, fisheries, and natural resources. Cambodia’s NDC reports that, over the past 20 years, production losses were mainly caused by flooding, about 62%, and drought, about 36%. (UNFCCC)
4. Climate change as a development risk multiplier
Climate change could significantly affect Cambodia’s growth and poverty-reduction pathway. Cambodia’s NDC estimates that climate change may reduce annual average GDP growth and could reduce absolute GDP by up to 9.8% by 2050. (UNFCCC) The World Bank CCDR also estimates that, without adaptation, climate change could increase Cambodia’s poverty rate by 0.3 to 6.0 percentage points by 2040, depending on the climate scenario. (Open Knowledge Repository)
This means Cambodia’s climate risk is not only a disaster-management issue; it is also a macroeconomic, poverty, food-security, infrastructure, and social-protection challenge.
5. Sector-specific vulnerabilities
| Sector | Main climate and hazard risks |
|---|---|
| Agriculture and food security | Floods, droughts, heat stress, crop losses, pests, irrigation stress, rice and maize failure |
| Fisheries and Tonle Sap livelihoods | Flood-pulse disruption, drought, declining fish habitat, ecosystem degradation, water-quality stress |
| Water resources | Seasonal scarcity, drought, flood contamination, river-flow variability, saltwater intrusion |
| Rural roads and logistics | Flood damage, road washouts, disrupted agricultural supply chains, limited market access |
| Urban settlements | Flash floods, poor drainage, heat stress, informal settlement exposure |
| Coastal zones | Sea-level rise, storm surge, coastal flooding, saltwater intrusion, mangrove degradation |
| Health | Heat stress, waterborne disease, vector-borne disease, malnutrition, disrupted services |
| Public finance | Recurrent disaster losses, recovery costs, infrastructure rehabilitation, fiscal pressure |
6. Social vulnerability
The most vulnerable groups include smallholder farmers, fishing communities around Tonle Sap and the Mekong system, landless rural workers, poor households, women-headed households, children, older persons, people with disabilities, informal settlers, Indigenous communities, and coastal communities exposed to saltwater intrusion and flooding. Vulnerability is highest where climate exposure overlaps with poverty, limited savings, low insurance coverage, insecure land tenure, weak infrastructure, and limited access to timely early warning.
7. Priority resilience needs
Cambodia’s resilience agenda should prioritize multi-hazard early warning systems, flood forecasting, drought monitoring, climate-smart agriculture, resilient rice and maize production, water-resource management, Tonle Sap ecosystem protection, resilient rural roads, shock-responsive social protection, coastal adaptation, mangrove restoration, risk-informed land-use planning, disaster risk financing, and community-based anticipatory action.
The World Bank CCDR specifically highlights the need to improve EWS1294 coverage and last-mile communication, strengthen emergency operations, and adopt comprehensive flood-risk reduction approaches combining infrastructure, urban planning, and nature-based solutions. (Open Knowledge Repository)
National Committee for Disaster Management (Cambodia)
https://www.ncdm.gov.kh
National Committee for Disaster Management is a National Institution of the Royal Government. It has a General Secretariat that acts as an implementing unit within NCDM Headquarters in order to provide advice to the Royal Government on the issue of Disaster Management.
[ Important Notice : It appears the National Committee for Disaster Management (Cambodia) website (https://www.ncdm.gov.kh) is currently not accessible and is returning a “504 Gateway Time-out (nginx)” error.
We respectfully request that the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) engage with us (MHEWC) so we can support NCDM in resolving the technical issue and upgrading the website into a Decision Support System (DSS) for Disaster Risk Management in Cambodia.
The Global MHEWC Platform strongly encourages all Global South countries to avoid restricting access to hydrometeorological data, landscape-scale climate data, multi-hazard risk information, and related datasets for general visitors. Such transparency is vital to effective early warning systems and strong risk governance. ]
The National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), the United Nations in Cambodia and the lead agencies of the Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) initiative – International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), and World Meteorological Organization (WMO), have organized the National Consultation Workshop on Early Warnings for All to bring key stakeholders together to strategize and enhance Cambodia’s early warning system, a vital component in minimizing the impact of disasters and adapting to climate change.
“As a nation, Cambodia is actively working to strengthen its disaster preparedness and early warning systems, with the aim of safeguarding lives, empowering communities, and fostering a resilient future for all Cambodians,” stated Sameun Hang, Second Vice of NCDM, emphasizing that the workshop marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards implementing comprehensive disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation measures.
However, significant global, regional, and national gaps persist in translating early warnings into effective actions such as efforts are still required to enhance awareness, build adequate institutional capacity, connectivity challenges, strengthen community engagement, enhance preparedness planning, create sufficient funding, including for operationalization and maintenance of hydro-met stations, and creating adequacy of hydrological and meteorological observations covering the whole country.
“Cambodia is prone to various climate-induced hazards, such as floods, drought or storms. These hazards pose significant risks to communities, agriculture, infrastructure and the economy. Early warning systems are proven to be an effective tool that mitigates the impact of climate-induced disasters and, develops a more resilient nation,” said Jo Scheuer, UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia.
Government ministries, UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral organizations, international non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, regional bodies, private sector entities and technical experts participated in the workshop. They reviewed the current state of early warning systems in Cambodia, assessing progress in implementing the four pillars of EW4ALL: disaster risk knowledge; observations and forecasting; dissemination and communication; and preparedness and response. They also discussed financing instruments and investment needs, as well as identified priority technical areas for advancing early warning systems in the country. One outcome was to establish a national coordination mechanism for EW4ALL, leveraging existing disaster management structures in Cambodia and fostering collaboration and coordination among stakeholders to drive effective implementation of early warning systems nationwide.
“The insights gained from these discussions will shape the country’s EW4ALL implementation roadmap for 2024-2027,” stated Claire Conan, WFP-Cambodia country director. She emphasized WFP’s role as the UN focal point in Cambodia for the EW4ALL initiative and its support to the global leads in crafting a comprehensive roadmap to further early warnings in Cambodia. “Through strategic partnerships and collaboration with national and global leaders in disaster risk reduction, WFP is committed to contribute to timely and effective early warnings for every Cambodian. Together, we’re building resilience and shaping a safer future.
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
For more information please contact (email address: chanmoniroth.iv@wfp.org):
Chanmoniroth IV, WFP/Cambodia, Mob. +85586 315 888
Recent Major Disasters
The susceptibility of Cambodia to natural disasters, including floods, droughts, and storms, can be attributed to its unique historical context as a nation recovering from a period of civil conflict. Furthermore, with a predominantly agrarian economy, it presents challenges and vulnerabilities regarding natural disasters.
Cambodia faces challenges related to its capacity, infrastructure, and institutional constraints, which, when compounded, heighten its vulnerability to climate variability and change. In this context, it is important to note that storms also pose a significant threat to Cambodia, adding to the complexity of its disaster risk landscape. Over the past decade, Cambodia has grappled with recurrent natural disasters, including droughts, floods, and storms.
(Source: Climate Change Knowledge Portal, World Bank)
Floods (2022)
Severe flooding from May 2022 resulted in significant damage. From September 1st to October 11th, approximately 85,482 households in 14 provinces were affected, leading to evacuations, casualties, and damage to houses, infrastructure, and agricultural land. The risk of severe floods persisted until the end of October.
Flood (September-October 2011)
TOP PAGE ＞ Information on Disaster Risk Reduction of the Member Countries Information on Disaster Risk Reduction of the Member Countries CambodiaCambodia General Information CambodiaFormal Name: Kingdom of Cambodia Geographical Location: Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia, bordered by Vietnam to the east, Thailand to the west, and Lao PDR to the north. To the south, it is bounded by the Gulf of Thailand. Land Area: Covering approximately 181,035 square kilometers, Cambodia boasts diverse geography, including the Mekong River, which traverses 500 kilometers of its territory, and the iconic Tonle Sap Lake in the mid-western region. Population: According to the latest data from WorldOmeter, Cambodia is home to nearly 17 million people, making it one of the most populous countries in Southeast Asia. The population is predominantly composed of Khmer (90%) and various ethnic minorities, including Cham, Chinese, Vietnamese, and indigenous mountainous tribes. Administrative Divisions: The nation is divided into 24 provinces, with its capital city being Phnom Penh, serving as the political, socio-economic, and cultural hub. Climate: Cambodia experiences a tropical climate dominated by the monsoon. Notably, the monsoon season, which typically occurs from May to October, plays a pivotal role in its climate patterns. During the monsoon season, Cambodia receives a substantial portion of its annual rainfall, accounting for almost 75% of its total precipitation. The dry season, spanning from November to April, offers a respite from heavy rainfall, creating favorable conditions for various outdoor activities and agricultural activities. Overview of Disasters Susceptibility of Cambodia to natural disasters, including floods, droughts, and storms, can be attributed to its unique historical context as a nation recovering from a period of civil conflict. Furthermore, with a predominantly agrarian economy, it presents challenges and vulnerabilities regarding natural disasters. Cambodia faces challenges related to its capacity, infrastructure, and institutional constraints, which, when compounded, heighten its vulnerability to climate variability and change. In this context, it is important to note that storms also pose a significant threat to Cambodia, adding to the complexity of its disaster risk landscape. Over the past decade, Cambodia has grappled with recurrent natural disasters, including droughts, floods, and storms. (Source: Climate Change Knowledge Portal, World Bank) Recent Major Disasters Flood (September-October 2011) In 2011, flood affected 350,000 households (over 1.5 million people) and 52,000 households were evacuated. 18 out of 24 provinces in Cambodia were affected; 4 provinces along Mekong River and Tonle Sap were worst hit; 250 people died and 23 people were injured as result of the flood. 431,000 hectares of transplanted rice fields were affected and 267,000 hectares of rice fields were damaged. 925 kilometers of the national, provincial and urban roads were affected and 360 kilometers of the roads were damaged. The floods in 2011 caused an estimated loss at 630 million USD.
Drought (2011-12)
In 2011, drought affected 3,804 hectares of rice fields. Furthermore, in 2012, drought affected 14,190 hectare of rice fields and completely destroyed crops of 3,151 hectares.
Disaster Management System
Legal System
Cambodia has enacted a comprehensive Law on Disaster Management in 2015, providing a robust legal framework for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Law on Disaster Management (Source: IFRC, English version)
Organization
The National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), headed by the Prime Minister, serves as the central coordinating body. The NCDM Secretariat leads and coordinates disaster management efforts at the national level. Disaster management is decentralized through Provincial Committees for Disaster Management (PCDM), District Committees for Disaster Management (DCDM), and Commune Committees for Disaster Management (CCDM). Village Disaster Management Groups (VDMG) operate at the grassroots level, actively participating in local disaster management activities.
Plan
Disaster management system of Cambodia underscores its commitment to enhancing disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation measures. Effective coordination among government agencies, humanitarian entities, and development partners is integral to its disaster prevention efforts. There are the following DRM related plans in Cambodia.
– National Strategy Development Plan (NSDP) 2009-2013
– Strategic National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (SNAP) 2008-2013
– National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction 2014-2018 (drafted & adopted by 2014)
– National Comprehensive Avian and Human Influenza Plan (Multi-Sectoral Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan)
– Community Based Disaster Risk Management Plan (CBDRM)
– National Contingency Plan for Flood and Drought (being revised)
ADRC Counterpart
National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM)
National Met Agency Cambodia
Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia, bordered by Vietnam to the east, Thailand to the west, and Lao PDR to the north. To the south, it is bounded by the Gulf of Thailand. Land Area: Covering approximately 181,035 square kilometers, Cambodia boasts diverse geography, including the Mekong River, which traverses 500 kilometers of its territory, and the iconic Tonle Sap Lake in the mid-western region. Population: According to the latest data from WorldOmeter, Cambodia is home to nearly 17 million people, making it one of the most populous countries in Southeast Asia. The population is predominantly composed of Khmer (90%) and various ethnic minorities, including Cham, Chinese, Vietnamese, and indigenous mountainous tribes. Administrative Divisions: The nation is divided into 24 provinces, with its capital city being Phnom Penh, serving as the political, socio-economic, and cultural hub. Climate: Cambodia experiences a tropical climate dominated by the monsoon. Notably, the monsoon season, which typically occurs from May to October, plays a pivotal role in its climate patterns. During the monsoon season, Cambodia receives a substantial portion of its annual rainfall, accounting for almost 75% of its total precipitation. The dry season, spanning from November to April, offers a respite from heavy rainfall, creating favorable conditions for various outdoor activities and agricultural activities. Overview of Disasters Susceptibility of Cambodia to natural disasters, including floods, droughts, and storms, can be attributed to its unique historical context as a nation recovering from a period of civil conflict. Furthermore, with a predominantly agrarian economy, it presents challenges and vulnerabilities regarding natural disasters. Cambodia faces challenges related to its capacity, infrastructure, and institutional constraints, which, when compounded, heighten its vulnerability to climate variability and change. In this context, it is important to note that storms also pose a significant threat to Cambodia, adding to the complexity of its disaster risk landscape. Over the past decade, Cambodia has grappled with recurrent natural disasters, including droughts, floods, and storms. (Source: Climate Change Knowledge Portal, World Bank) Recent Major Disasters Flood (September-October 2011) In 2011, flood affected 350,000 households (over 1.5 million people) and 52,000 households were evacuated. 18 out of 24 provinces in Cambodia were affected; 4 provinces along Mekong River and Tonle Sap were worst hit; 250 people died and 23 people were injured as result of the flood. 431,000 hectares of transplanted rice fields were affected and 267,000 hectares of rice fields were damaged. 925 kilometers of the national, provincial and urban roads were affected and 360 kilometers of the roads were damaged. The floods in 2011 caused an estimated loss at 630 million USD.
Drought (2011-12)
In 2011, drought affected 3,804 hectares of rice fields. Furthermore, in 2012, drought affected 14,190 hectare of rice fields and completely destroyed crops of 3,151 hectares.
Disaster Management System
Legal System
Cambodia has enacted a comprehensive Law on Disaster Management in 2015, providing a robust legal framework for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Law on Disaster Management (Source: IFRC, English version)
Organization
The National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), headed by the Prime Minister, serves as the central coordinating body. The NCDM Secretariat leads and coordinates disaster management efforts at the national level. Disaster management is decentralized through Provincial Committees for Disaster Management (PCDM), District Committees for Disaster Management (DCDM), and Commune Committees for Disaster Management (CCDM). Village Disaster Management Groups (VDMG) operate at the grassroots level, actively participating in local disaster management activities.
Plan
Disaster management system of Cambodia underscores its commitment to enhancing disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation measures. Effective coordination among government agencies, humanitarian entities, and development partners is integral to its disaster prevention efforts. There are the following DRM related plans in Cambodia.
– National Strategy Development Plan (NSDP) 2009-2013
– Strategic National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (SNAP) 2008-2013
– National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction 2014-2018 (drafted & adopted by 2014)
– National Comprehensive Avian and Human Influenza Plan (Multi-Sectoral Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan)
– Community Based Disaster Risk Management Plan (CBDRM)
– National Contingency Plan for Flood and Drought (being revised)
ADRC Counterpart
National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM)
Country Report
Cambodia Disaster Loss and Damage Analysis Report (1996-2013) (English Version, PDF file)
Country Report 2013 (English Version, PDF file)
Country Report 2006 (Japanese Version, PDF file)
Country Report 2006 (English Version, PDF file)
Country Report 2003 (English Version, PDF file)
Country Report 2002 (English Version, PDF file)
Country Report 1999 (English Version, PDF file)
Country Report 1999 (Japanese Version, PDF file)
Country Report 1998 (English Version, PDF file)
Disaster Information (The latest 10)
・2017/07/25 : Tropical Depression
Susceptibility of Cambodia to natural disasters, including floods, droughts, and storms, can be attributed to its unique historical context as a nation recovering from a period of civil conflict. Furthermore, with a predominantly agrarian economy, it presents challenges and vulnerabilities regarding natural disasters.
Cambodia faces challenges related to its capacity, infrastructure, and institutional constraints, which, when compounded, heighten its vulnerability to climate variability and change. In this context, it is important to note that storms also pose a significant threat to Cambodia, adding to the complexity of its disaster risk landscape. Over the past decade, Cambodia has grappled with recurrent natural disasters, including droughts, floods, and storms.
(Source: Climate Change Knowledge Portal, World Bank)
The National Council for Sustainable Development
NCDM – National Committee for Disaster Management
https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/cambodia
Some useful documents on Cambodia
Subject: Looking forward to the scope of work and partnership opportunity with NCDM , Cambodia
To,
H.E. Mr. MA Norith
Dear Sir,
Greetings from the Multi-Hazard Early Warning System Design and Implementation Center (MHEWC).
MHEWC provides technical solutions to strengthen Disaster Risk Management (DRM) governance systems, climate and multi-hazard risk management, and end-to-end early warning system design and implementation. We would be pleased to offer technical support to the NCDM – National Committee for Disaster Management, Cambodia, in the following areas:
a) Upgrading NCDM ’s existing web portal into a geospatial, database-driven, and app-enabled Decision Support System (DSS) to support real-time disaster risk governance, planning, preparedness, response, and recovery management.
b) Conducting climate and multi-hazard risk and vulnerability assessments, including the preparation of geospatial hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and risk maps, and the establishment of a centralized risk information repository and database management system.
c) Assessing existing monitoring, observation, and early warning capacities and supporting NCDM in the installation, enhancement, and integration of observation networks, including Automated Weather Stations (AWS), hybrid weather and hazard monitoring systems, and sensor-ingested real-time data systems linked to a functional DSS.
d) Designing and operationalizing end-to-end multi-hazard early warning systems, including weather and hazard nowcasting services, impact-based forecasting, forecast-based anticipatory early action, forecast-based emergency preparedness and response management, forecast-based financing, Early Action Protocol development, and DSS-supported Standing Orders on Disaster and Standard Operating Procedures.
e) Supporting automated hazard detection, monitoring, prediction, and emergency operations management, including the design, implementation, and operationalization of a Multi-Hazard and Disaster Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
f) Developing GIS, database, and information tool-driven local government and productive sector-level risk-informed planning and budgeting systems to strengthen disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions, locally led adaptation, and resilience planning.
g) Reviewing and upgrading multi-hazard preparedness, response, and recovery plans across administrative levels and relevant priority sectors, in alignment with NCDM’s institutional mandate and national disaster management priorities.
h) Providing any additional technical assistance as may be required by NCDM to strengthen national-to-last-mile disaster risk governance and early warning capacities.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss NCDM’s priorities and explore how MHEWC can support the development of a practical implementation roadmap for strengthening multi-hazard early warning, risk information, and disaster risk governance systems in the Cambodia.
We look forward to your kind response.
Sincerely,
Z M Sajjadul Islam
Director
Multi-Hazard Early Warning System Design and Implementation Center (MHEWC)
Web: mhewc.org
Email: sajjad@mhewc.org
Phone & WhatsApp: +88 01711 979179
Director
Multi-Hazard Early Warning System Design and Implementation Center (MHEWC)
Web: mhewc.org
Email: sajjad@mhewc.org
Phone & WhatsApp: +88 01711 979179