Resources / Global Sanitation Fund Sanitation Sector Status and Gap Analysis for Cambodia

Summary

Cambodia ranks 131 on its human development index in the world according to the UN Human Development Report for 2007. As of 2004, the country had the lowest population access to improved sanitation and improved water source in the region at only 17 % and 41%, respectively. The country has the highest population of undernourished at 33 % of its total population in 2004, and it has the highest under five mortality rate of 143 per 1000 live births in 2005. Latest government data also indicate increased cases of diarrhea with outpatient section at 5% of the total new cases of consultations, 3.9 % of the total inpatients, diarrhea-related deaths in hospitals is at 0.4 % of the total new cases, and children under 5 suffering from diarrhea is at 20%. For under five mortality, the 2005 Cambodia Health and Demographic Survey (CDHS) reports 83 deaths per 1000 live births, lower than that reported by the UN Human Development Report. For improved sanitation and water supply interventions, Cambodia follows the definitions set forth by the WHO-UNICEF Joint Monitoring Project. Government data for 2004 report 21% access to improved sanitation facilities nationwide, 12.5% in rural areas. In 2007, nationwide access had risen to 30% with rural areas still lagging at 20%. In terms of households connected to sewerage systems, only a third were connected in urban areas and only 2% in rural areas. For improved water supply, in 2004, 56% had access to safe water nationwide, 51% in rural areas. In 2007, nationwide access had increased to 59% with rural areas access increasing to 53%. However, very few households are connected to piped water systems in rural areas (5% in 2005) and in urban areas, this is only at 40% of the total household population.