Environmental research

Findings from VRA by ARD with 104 participants, 42 female, conclude that for the last 30 years drought has been accelerating and heat is more prevalent in the dry season and last longer. Climate extremes have been causing severe problems such as shortage of water for both domestic use and irrigation. VRA has identified a number of recommendations as follows: - Raising more awareness on health related issues; - Improving or maximizing existing water holding facility; and - stablishing functional community resource management mechanism. The project will assist 6,263 members, 3,157 women, from 1,271 households in 8 local communities of Cham Sanke and Prey Kmeng communes adapt to drought through building 2 new communal ponds, rehabilitate an existing pond, repair 10 pumping wells in both communes, and strengthen water management capacity at commune level and raise awareness on impacts of drought on women and children s health. 1.2 Project objective To develop capacity of 6,263 villagers, 3,157 women, from 1,271 households in 8 villages to adapt to CC. 1.3 Project outcomes Outcome 1.1: Two new ponds, 35m x 35m x 4 m, built, 1 existing pond, 35m x 35m x 1m, rehabilitated and 10 pumping wells repaired. Outcome 1.2: Two water management committees established in 8 villages with sufficient capacity to manage ponds and wells; and Outcome 1.3: Awareness built with 240 women on impacts of drought on local livelihood and health. 1.5 Major activities Output 1.1 Activities - eeting with communities in 80 participants from 8 villages to select locations for building 2 news ponds and rehabilitate 1 existing pond, and repair 10 pumping wells; - stablishing procurement committee of at least 24 participants in each village to select qualified contractor for building and rehabilitating ponds, and wells; - dvertising for participation of at least 40 service providers in bidding process and development of contract with winning contractor; - acilitating the building and repairing of ponds and wells; and - onitoring and evaluation of pond and well building and repairmen with the participation of 30 participants from local authority, relevant sectoral agencies, and other participants. Output 1.2 Activities - Meting with 25 participants to establish village and commune water management committee; - Meeting with 25 participants to develop rules governing water allocation and use at the village level; - Meeting with 25 participants to strengthen capacity of village and commune management committees; and - Campaign to plan grass and trees on the dike and fence surrounding ponds. Output 1.3 Activities - Design, produce and post images on water source protection and sanitation; - End of project review by project evaluator with the participation of ARD staff and water management committee; and - VRA at the end of the project.

Cambodia