THE World Bank has approved US$169mil (RM743mil) in new financing for Cambodia to improve the disaster and climate resilience of the flood-damaged rural roads, according to a statement.The project will support the reconstruction of roads and bridges in flood-affected areas and improve the government’s ability to respond to climate disasters, the statement said.“It will benefit 5.5 million people in seven provinces, of whom 52% are women, and anyone who uses those roads,” it said.
The project will train government staff, mostly at Rural Development Ministry, in disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, and post-disaster needs assessment.
World Bank country manager for Cambodia Maryam Salim said Cambodia was highly vulnerable to a range of negative climate change impacts, particularly floods and droughts, and the country’s rural infrastructure was highly vulnerable to climate disaster risks.
“This project will help to ensure that rural infrastructure remain robust and resilient to climate change, and that vulnerable populations will be protected against disaster shocks,” she said.
Salim said rural roads were vital to the day-to-day life of rural communities, and damage to key road segments could cripple the livelihood of rural households and curtail access to basic services such as markets, schools and hospitals. — Xinhua
