The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD763 million investment programme, including a USD20 million grant from the Asian Development Fund (ADF), to support Cambodia’s urban water supply, sanitation and climate-resilient infrastructure development.
The programme, titled the Livable, Resilient, and Water-Secure Cities Investment Programme, will be implemented through a multi-tranche financing facility covering 14 cities and 12 districts across the Mekong River, Tonle Sap and coastal regions. The scope includes expansion and upgrading of water supply systems, sanitation facilities and related urban services, with around 15 per cent of direct beneficiaries expected to come from low-income households.
ADB stated that the investment is aligned with Cambodia’s urban resilience and poverty reduction objectives, targeting more than two million beneficiaries. The programme also aims to address climate risks, as over half of Cambodia’s population is exposed to flooding, with potential annual climate-related losses estimated at up to USD10.6 billion by 2050 without adequate adaptation measures.