Press Release

UN AND CAMBODIA JOIN FORCES TO STRENGTHEN EARLY WARNINGS AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

04 October 2023

PHNOM PENH – 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.

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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