Status of Disaster Management
andFuture Needs
For
CAMBODIA
Presented by: Ross Sovann
DM and Legal Advisor to the National
Committee for Disaster Management,
ADRC Visiting Researcher January – July 2005
Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

Outline of the Presentation
1. Cambodia in Brief;
2. Primary Natural Hazards and Others;
3. Disaster Management by the Royal
Government of Cambodia;
4. Activities undertaken and Future
Needs; and5. Urgent Needed Solutions;
6. Objectives of Visiting Research andexpected Outputs

1

Kingdom of Cambodia
Heart of theASEAN Countries
Bordered by
Thailand, Laos,
Vietnam and
The Gulf ofThailandAn area of
181,035 sq. Km.
Capital City is
Phnom with 20
provinces and 3
municipalities

CAMBODIA
Background Information :Head of State
Head ofGovernment
CapitalLand area
Population
Language
Religion
Member of: H.M. Norodom Sihamoni

CurrencyGDP
Major
Industries::

Major Exports:

Major Imports:: Prime Minister Hun Sen

:
:
:
:
:
:

:

Phnom Penh
181,035 sq.km
13,798 thousands (2003)
Khmer
Buddhism
ASEAN, CTBTO, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC,
IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, ITU, LDC, UNO, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UPO, UNIDO, WIPO, WHO, UNDAC…
Riel; (4,000 Riel = 1.00 US$)
US$ 4,215 million (2003) at current market prices
Textiles and Garments, Beverages, Food Processing,Wood Processing
Garments, Textile Product Sawn, Wood Furniture andRubberTransport equipment and machinery, manufactured
goods, food chemicals

2Evening spectacular
Grand Royal Palaceof Mekong River inrainy season
Capital City – Phnom Penh

Urban life in Phnom Penh

Main Gate Entrance

In front
Palace Buildings… of the Royal Palace

Rural…

3

Country Profile
Arable &permanent
crop land –13%
Permanent
pasture –11%
Forests andWoodland –66%

Demographics
Population of 13.4 million,
90 to 95% are Ethnic Khmer,
Female 51.8%, Male 48.2%
Rural Population – 84%
Average annual population
growth rate of 2.4% (2ndHighest among ASEAN)
Productive age group (18 to
60 yrs old) – 43%
Population 18 yrs old andbelow – 52%(Imbalance due to Khmer
Rouge period)

4Social Development
Indicators
Human Development
Index: 130 out of 175(UNDP 2001)
Population living below poverty line:(75% farmer-headed Households)
farmer-headed

36%

Life Expectancy (2002):

57.4 yrs

Adult Literacy Rate (2002):
Per Capita Income

69.4%
US$ 266

Profile of Economy
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Sector
43% of GDP
80% of labor force
Industrial Sector
Share in GDP increasing from 18.3%
in 1998 to 23.5% in 2000
Manufacturing 78.5%
Construction
18.3%
Most dynamic sub-sector is Garments
sub-sector
Industry (leading source of exports) withannual growth rate of 65% for period
1995 to 2000

5

Profile of Economy
Tourism plays a very
important role in therebuilding of theeconomy Growth rateof 18.4% in 1999
Annual increase intourist arrivals of 30%
during the period 1998 to200
Hotel construction
increased by 10% during
the period 1993 to 2000

DISASTERSIN
CAMBODIA

6

Primary Natural Disasters…
Disasters…
Mekong River: world’s 12th longest river system. Total
length of 4,500 km, a drainage area of 795,000 sq. km
and an average annual runoff of 475,000 million cubic
meters.
500 km of
MekongRiver bisects
Cambodia
85% ofCambodia’sland is inlower
Mekongbasin

CLIMATE: The Monsoon
Annual rain
fall varies
from
1,100mm to
more
than
4.000mm per
year

Northeast
Monsoon
Beginning of
Nov toend of Apr
with
dry windcalled hot
seasonSouthwest
Monsoonmid May to
end ofOct. brings
75% to 80%of the annual
rainfall
Monsoon usually swell up the Mekong Basin

7

PRIMARY DISASTERS…
1. Flood
Mekong River

Mekong River in rainy season

Tonle Sap Lake

Mekong River

Flood of 2000
Flood of 2001

8

FLOOD IN 2000 CAMBODIA

MEKONG RIVER COMMISSION REPORTED
Laos PDR, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand affected• Cambodia the most severely affected country• The deaths in Cambodia 43% of total deaths 800 persons• 40% of total damages $ 400 million

9Impact of Floods
Floods of 1996
In the 1996 floods, continuous heavy rainfall in China,
Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia inundated the
Mekong River affecting 1.3 million Cambodians with
600,000 hectares of crops and 50,000 homes
damaged or destroyed

Floods of 2000
• Worst flood to hit the country in more than 70 years.
• Total physical and direct damage was estimated at
US$ 150 million, 40% of the total estimateddamages of US$ 400 Million in the four countries in
the Mekong River basin including Laos, Cambodia,
Vietnam and Thailand.
• Death toll at 347 (80 percent of whom werechildren).
• Some 750,618 families (3,448,629 individuals)
affected by flooding, about 85,000 families had to
had to be evacuated.

10

Floods of 2001
• Affected Provinces/Municipalities: 14, Districts: 84,
Communes: 595• Victims Affected: 429,698 families, equivalent to2,121,952 people• Affected population who had food shortage causedby flood: 192,284 families, equivalent to: 945,665
people• Rice partially damaged by flood: seedling 7,739
Has, Transplanted 23,7275 Has• Rice totally destroyed by flood: seedling 5,732 Has,
Transplanted 144,386 Has

Damages
In its World Disaster Report, the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) put Cambodia
the worse affected country in the region as in the following:
HISTORY OF DISASTERS IN CAMBODIAIFRC World Disaster Report: 2002
1982-1991 1992-2001
Total no. of people reported killed

100

1,094

Total no. of people reported affected

900,000

13,336,614

The total direct damages were approximately estimated at:• US$150 million in 2000
• US$ 36 million in 2001
• US$ 34 million in 200211

2. Drought• In recent years, there has
been an imbalance in the
distribution of monsoon
rainfall which has resulted indrought in some parts of thecountry• A short dry spell of 20 to 30
days during the rainyseason ( May – November )can result to extensive
damage to crops• Prolonged drought was
experienced in 1997 to 1998
and consecutive drought in
2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005

Drought in 2001
• Affected population who had food shortage
caused by drought: 132,711 families,
equivalent to: 530,844 people• Rice partially damaged by drought: seedling
13,361 Has, Transplanted 89,787 Has• Rice totally destroyed by drought: seedling
8,696 Has, Transplanted 45,291 Has

12

Storms

Other disasters:
1. Natural• Storm• Erosion

Other disasters include Fires that
occur in some of the major cities
and cause extensive damage dueto the lack of sufficient fire fighting
equipment• Epidemics• Forest fires,• Landslides

2. Man-made• Traffic Accidence•In 2000, a series of storms caused
similar damage in 5 provinces of
the country•In 2001, six (6) provinces were hit
by storms resulting to destructionof 743 houses, 6 school buildings
and 2 temples resulting to 1 deathand 11 injured• Railroad accidents• industrial wastes• Landmines• HIV/AIDS• Drugs• Social disasters

Disaster Data 1988
-1998 (CRED, 1999)[1]
1988-1998
[1]
Peopl
e
killed

D

E

FL
D

F

W/
S

LS

V

O

8,274,564

730

3

0

3

0

0

0

0

4

76

3,499,811

6

18

22

4

2

3

11

10

Laos

13

820,016

7,53
5
747

3

0

4

0

3

0

0

3

Myanmar10

4,605,372

188

0

1

8

0

1

0

0

0

Vietnam53

16,300,88
0

9,09
6

1

0

15

0

30

2

0

5

Country

Total
Even
ts

PeopleAffected

Cambodia

10

Indonesia

D = drought, E = earthquake, FLD = floods, F = fire, W/S = wind/storm, LS =landslide, V = volcano, O = others[1] Source : CAMBODIA, International Federation of the Red Cross Country Assistance
Strategy 2001-2002, June 2000

13

The Royal Government of Cambodia

NATIONAL COMMITTEEFORDISASTER MANAGEMENT(NCDM)…As a result of experiencing with recurring flooding,the Royal Government of Cambodia, established the
National Committee for Disaster Management(NCDM) in 1995…
Ministerial level organization under the Council of
Ministers formed to assist the Royal Government in:
1. Providing necessary disaster management
related recommendations,
2. Disaster Management Coordination,
3. Disaster Management Dissemination, and
4. Disaster response

14

Royal Government of Cambodia

National Committee for Disaster Management
MembershipRoyal Decree No. NS/RKT/0202/040
1. Prime Minister
2. High Ranking Official (Senior Minister)
3. Minister of the Ministry of Interior
4. Minister of the Ministry of National Defense
5. Minister in charge of the Office of theCouncil of Ministers
6. Minister of the Ministry of Economy
and Finance
7. Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and International Cooperation
8. Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources
and Meteorology

President
First Vice-President
Vice-President
Vice-President
MemberMemberMemberMemberRoyal Government of Cambodia

National Committee for Disaster Management(Membership cont’d)
9. Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries
10. Minister of the Ministry of Commerce
11. Minister of the Ministry of Health
12. Minister of the Ministry of Rural Development
13. Minister of the Ministry of Public Works andTransport
14. Minister of the Ministry of Education,
Youth and Sports
15. Representative of the Commander In Chiefof the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
16. Representative of the Chairman of the National
Society of Cambodian Red Cross
17. Secretary of State of the State Secretariat
of Civil aviation

MemberMemberMemberMemberMemberMemberMemberMemberMember15

Royal Government of Cambodia

National Committee for Disaster Management
MissionTo lead the Disaster Management in the Kingdom of
Cambodia.
Functions and Responsibilities¾ To coordinate with the Ministries of the Royal Government,
UN agencies, IOs, NGOs, International Communities,
National Associations, and Local Donors in order to appeal
for aid for Emergency Response and Rehabilitation,¾ To make recommendations to the Royal Government andissue principles, main policies and warnings on Disaster
Preparedness and Management cum the measures for
Emergency Response and interventions in evacuating
people to haven,Royal Government of Cambodia

National Committee for Disaster Management¾ To disseminate Disaster Management work to Communities
and strengthen the line from the National level (Ministries /Institutions concerned) to the provincial/ Municipal/
District/ Precinct level along with human resource
development aiming to manage Disaster works firmly andeffectively,¾ To put forward a proposal to the Royal Government on
reserves, funds, fuel, means of working, equipment andhuman resources for Disaster Prevention and intervention in
Emergency Response and Rehabilitation before, during,
and after disaster,

16

NCDM Organizational Structure
National Committee for Disaster Management
Audit Unit
DM Working Groups of
Ministries/Institutions

GeneralSecretariat

Cabinet

Provincial Committee for Disaster
Management (PCDM)
PCDM Secretariat
District Committee forDisaster Management (DCDM)
Commune Disaster
Management TeamNCDM Organizational Structure
National Committee for Disaster Management
Executive Committee(President, 1st Vice President, Secretary General)
NCDM General Secretariat

Administration Information
and Finance& Relations
Department
Department

Emergency
Response &Rehabilitation
Department

Preparednes Search ands andRescueTraining
Department
Department

17

Inter-Agency Coordination Mechanism
Inter-Agency
Emergency Coordinating Group
Lead: NCDM
In coordination with CRC, IFRC, UN-DMT)
Emergency Relief Assistance Sub-Group
Lead: NCDM and Cambodian Red Cross (CRC)
Food Security and Infrastructure Sub-Group
Lead: Ministry of Agriculture & Ministry ofTransport and Public Works
Health Sub-Group
Lead: Ministry of Health
Water & Sanitation & Small Scale Infrastructure
Lead: Ministry of Rural Development
Preparedness and Mitigation Sub-group
Lead: Ministry of Public Work and Transportation and
Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology

Current state of Disaster management
A Joint Assessment of NCDM Capacity and Capability
was initiated in 2001… lead to the development of an
institutional development strategy and two- (2) year action
plan of NCDM…
Unprecedented flood of 2000 lead to a review of thecapacity of NCDM. A major conclusion of the fact was that
the NCDM and disaster management systems in the country
need further strengthening…
The areas and challenges that will require assistance are as
follows:
1. Legal systems and Policy on Disaster Management
2. Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy
3. Disaster Preparedness and Response
4. Disaster Management Information System
5. Public Awareness and Early Warning18

Current status of…
of…
The areas and challenges that will require assistance
are as follows:

1. Legal systems and National Policy on Disaster
Management- Existence of Royal Decree, Sub Decree…
- No basic act on disaster management,- No national policy on disaster management- No formal guideline for actions,

Current state of…
of…
2. Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy
No proactive disaster management strategy
existing (Short, medium and long term):
Require: A disaster management strategy consists ofanalysis and planning for a wide range ofissues corresponding to all aspects of disastermanagement namely:- Prevention,- Mitigation,- Preparedness,- Response, and- Rehabilitation
Objectives of the national disaster management strategy
should contribute to the development goals of Cambodia
such as effective governance, poverty alleviation,
environmental protection, and improved access to basicsocial services or vice-versa…

19Current state of…
of…
3. Disaster Preparedness and Response
No existing contingency plan at all levels…
Only:- Yearly allocation of 400, 000,000 riels,- Annual withdrawal up to 400- 800 metric tons rice,- Some amounts of fuel reserved,- Some trainings for a number of government officials
Require: Consolidated comprehensive contingency
plans at different levels (NCDM, PCDM, DCDM)
Supported by law and policy on disastermanagement…

Current state of…
of…
4. Disaster Management Information System
No existing system set up within NCDM and lines…Only:- Damage and need assessment format developed,- Emergency situation report format developed,- Some trainings for a number of government officials,
Require: improve system and procedures in damage
and needs assessment and reporting, including:- The system of comparing damage and needs- convene the Emergency Response Group at all levels- Strengthening capacity on information planning- Improve Data storage at NCDM,- Clearer guidelines in damage and needs assessment- Equipped with skills and resources for focal points- Establish Secretariats with necessary supplies- Improve NCDM’s necessary logistical resources,

20

Current state of…
of…
5. Public Awareness and Early Warning
One of the most significant gap in present day efforts tomitigate the potentially disastrous effects of most hazards

IS the lack of knowledge by the general public, national
and local officials about the severity of hazards that may
affect them, associated risks, probable damages, andprecautions to be taken…
Only:- Two circulars developed and disseminated,- Orientation field visit by NCDM Officials,
Require: Strategic public awareness and early
warning plans

Implementation of coordination role
¾ Some strategic projects have been carried out bydonors and ministries members of NCDM such as:- flood rehabilitation program by WB-MOP- The Community Self-reliance and Flood Risk
Reduction Project by ADP-MOWRM¾ instead of working through NCDM, the donors
generally work in a straight line with the ministries of
the Government who are also members of NCDM.
¾ Practically, almost all cases of such projects, NCDM
was very little involved or coordinated. Since NCDM
was considered of low capacity, it is usually
bypassed by those donors and their own member
ministries.

21However, coordination has been improved withother institutions…
institutions…

Areas of Coordination and Cooperation withother Institutions
Government Ministries, Provincial Authorities andEmbassies of Friend Countries – Only in time of

Emergency Response

Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) – Community-based

Disaster Preparedness, Small-scale mitigation projects, Safearea development, disaster response and relief

CARE Cambodia – Community-based Disaster
Preparedness project in Prey Veng province, disaster planningand training for DCDMs, donation of equipment (i.e., radiosand boats), relief
World Vision International – Disaster preparedness,

response and relief, community development projects. It has
also provided NCDM vehicle.

Areas of Coordination andCooperation with otherInstitutions
OXFAM Cambodia – Disaster preparedness, response andrelief, proposed Community-based Disaster preparedness in
Takeo province.

Concern Worldwide – Disaster preparedness, response andrelief projects

CWS – Community Based Disaster preparedness, response
and relief projects
LWF – Community Based Disaster preparedness, response andrelief projects. Provincial Training on Disaster Situation Report,
and Damage and Need Assessment Training

22

Areas of Coordination andCooperation with otherInstitutions
Capability Building Activities – conduct of trainings andcapacity building to members of the NCDM as well as to theProvincial Committee for Disaster Management (PCDM) andDistrict Committee for Disaster Management (DCDM)
Damage and Needs Assessment – Disaster Preparedness,
Small- scale mitigation projects, Community-based Early
Warning project in Kampong Cham province
Emergency Relief Assistance – provision of relief goods
Disaster Preparedness – conduct of community planning
Resource Mobilization – provision of relief goods

Coordination with International
Organizations (IO) on Capability
Building Activity
Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC)
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM

23

Coordination with UN Agencies and
IOs on Capability Building Activity• UNDMT : WFP, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO and FAO• European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO)• Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)• International Federation of Red Cross and Red CrescentSocieties (IFRC)

Keys to Effective Coordination
Policy Framework – a mechanism that will provide NGO/IO
participation in the national disaster management processes.
NGO Representation – in government disastermanagement organization such as working on disastercoordination response and recovery.

Establishment of formal Institutional Partnership –execution agreement of cooperation and understanding withvarious NGO organization.

Information Sharing – a mechanism that will provide anopen and consultative process of information sharing.
Dynamic and Creative Leadership – flexible yetdetermined political leadership that is responsive to current
and emerging needs of the disaster management institution.

Strong Political Support – clearly defined role and functionof the organization in close cooperation with the politicalleadership for political and legislative support.

24

Impact of Effective
Coordination
Effective Risk Reduction Strategy
Maximization of Limited Resources
Focus Beneficiary Targeting
Clearly Defined Roles and Responsibilities
Effective and Efficient Utilization and Dissemination ofInformation
Identified actors on different aspects of Disaster
Management

Strategies• Long-term Institutional Development Program
including disaster mitigation and preparedness
program;• Short and medium emergency response;• Work through partners’ projects;• Building partners’ capacity• Link/connect emergency response anddevelopment;• Collaboration among stakeholders;

25

Now!

Political commitment is there…, but …
Immediate need is an

Institutional Development Program,
Which actions should be takenfrom
A development of Legal frameworkto
The Formation and function of Community
Based Disaster Risk Management
Mechanisms

Objective of the Visiting Research and Expected
Outputs

Objective:
To study the strength and weakness of disaster managementin Japan within the 5 areas; Legal systems and Policy on
Disaster Management, Comprehensive Disaster Management
Strategy, Disaster Preparedness and Response, Disaster
Management Information System, Public Awareness and
Early Warning;
Outputs:• Understand and reflect Japan’s disaster management ingeneral;• Understand and reflect the above-mentioned five key
areas and their good practices of concerned sectors
and at all levels;• Identify good approaches and components of each area;• Develop feasible ID project plan for Cambodia;• Strengthen coordination, collaboration and relation withJapan as well as International bodies and friend countries;

26Or-kunArigato gozaimasu
Thank You27