Credit: DCA\LWD Rapid Assessment Report May 2016. Photo from Prey Veng village, Prambei Mom commune, Thpong district, Kampong Speu Synthesis Report of NGO Drought Assessments in Cambodia: by Participant Organisations of the Humanitarian Response Forum (HRF) May 2016 Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Acronyms 3 1. Executive Summary 4 2. Objective of the Report 6 3. Methodology and Report Limitations 6 4. Situation Overview 8 5. Findings and Observations 10 5.1 Affected areas and Priority Needs 10 5.2 Snapshot of Sectoral Findings 12 5.3 Coping Strategies 19 6. Response to Date 20 6.1 Government Response 20 6.2 HRF Participant Organisations’ Response 21 7. Conclusion and Recommendations 24 8. Annexes 26 Report compiled by Sharon Moynihan Hill ([email protected]) 2 Acronyms CARE CARE International in Cambodia CHF Cambodia Humanitarian Forum CWS Church World Service DCA Danish Church Aid DCDM District Committee for Disaster Management FGM Focused Group Discussions HEKS Hilfswerk der Evangelischenkirchen HRF Humanitarian Response Forum KII Key Informant Interviews LWD Life with Dignity MoEYS Ministry of Education Youth and Sport MRD Ministry of Rural Development NCDM National Committee for Disaster Management PCDM Provincial Committee for Disaster Management PDoA Provincial Department of Agriculture PDoWRAM Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology PIN People in Need PoE Provincial Department of Education PWD People with Disabilities RGA Rapid Gender Assessment WFP World Food Programme WWH Welthungerhilfe 3 1. Executive Summary The 2015-16 El Niño weather phenomenon has resulted in significantly less rainfall patterns, warmer weather and delayed or shorter monsoon rains in Cambodia. The Royal Government of Cambodia declared that 18 of Cambodia’s 25 provinces have been severely affected by drought, impacting 2.5 million people1. In response to the drought, 11 NGO’s that are participants of the Cambodian Humanitarian Response Forum (HRF) undertook rapid assessments during April and May 2016 across 18 provinces and 59 districts in Cambodia2. 9 assessment reports were submitted from Action Aid, CARE, CHF, CARE/Save/PIN, DCA/LWD, Plan International (+ WHH), Samaritan’s Purse, Save the Children and HEKS. Other data/Information was submitted from CWS and World Vision. This report is a compilation of the NGO assessment reports. Findings from the assessment reports align with the National Committee for Disaster Management’s (NCDM) estimation that at least 50% of districts have been affected by the drought. Localised pockets of need were found that are affecting the most insecure communities particularly in Banteay Meanchay, Battambang, Koh Kong, Pursat, Prey Veng, Kampong Speu and Kampong Chhnang Provinces. The drought has had a significant impact on communities with crop damage and loss of livelihoods negatively affecting poor subsistent farmers and small land holders. Low water supplies have exacerbated poverty for many poor communities who depend on rivers and ponds for irrigation. In many provinces, migration and debt have increased. Women, especially pregnant and lactating women, are being particularly affected. Health centres have reported increases in cases of illnesses to which children are vulnerable including diarrhea, fever, and upper respiratory infections. The heat and lack of drinking water in schools is posing a threat to children’s health and wellbeing. Children are also being left behind in the care of relatives while their parents migrate for work. The assessment reports demonstrate the urgent need for i) immediate emergency response to the current drought situation ii) longer term impact assessments of the on-going drought3 iii) prioritising preparedness response for upcoming La Niña or an extended drought iv) strengthening of national emergency response mechanisms. The following recommendations are provided in the final section of the report: 1 National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), April 2016. 2 See Figure 1 and 2 for more information. 3 Further information on longer term impact assessment being undertaken in June 2016 by WFP/FAO and UNICEF can be found in Section 6. 4 Intervention Type Interventions Duration Short-Term WASH Provide drinking water, water containers, cash to buy water, water filters and Aqua tabs; Distribution of vouchers for water; Cash grants/vouchers to women to purchase water. Livelihoods and Provide cash grants to families most in need; Food Security Health Provide Health Centres with medication to treat diarrhea with oral rehydration zinc, skin and eye problems, and to maintain appropriate IV stocks; Provide Health Centres with water sources such as wells, water tanks, pumps, filters and rain water collection devices, as well as solar power to maintain service delivery; Provide latrines for men and women; Training to health center staff/pregnant/lactating mothers on hygiene and breastfeeding during water scarcity. Education Distribution of water for schools most in need; Provide water filters, purifiers and water containers, and electric fans for classrooms; Protection Awareness raising on child protection with communities and schools - protecting themselves from harm while finding water sources from distant places and latrines; Awareness raising on gender based violence with communities for women that have to travel for water and/or work. Short and Coordination HRF members to use standard tools and therefore have one single assessment Medium Mechanisms report which includes qualitative and quantitative data to be able to provide a comprehensive national picture and compare geographically and sectorally. Term HRF Sector leads to continue to regularly exchange sector information in an open and transparent manner; HRF members to coordinate at the provincial and district level in avoid overlap and to advocate for increased support to be provided by the Government for the drought. Long-term WASH Rehabilitate existing water sources and advocate for the development of new (next 6 water supply infrastructure (ponds, rain water harvesting systems etc.) for the months most affected villages; Raise awareness among men and women within plus) communities on maintaining water infrastructure and not letting it deteriorate; Livelihoods and Advocate for stronger focus on government spending for small-holder Food Security agricultural infrastructure and water infrastructure (deep wells, etc.); Enhance communication of early warning and forecasting to male and female farmers; Health Raise awareness with men and women about hygiene and sanitation, how to take care of separate needs during hot weather, and to educate men and women about conserving water. Education Provide support to schools to increase their water storage capacity (water tanks or otherwise), with digging wells, and repairing wells. Installing water catchment will help deal with shortage when rains arrive; Construction of more latrines for girls and boys and repair of latrines and hand washing stations. Protection Ongoing monitoring of migration issues – linking long term assessment with work by IOM; Awareness raising on child protection with communities and schools; Awareness on gender based violence in households and against women who travel further for water and/or work. 5 2. Objective of the Report This report has been prepared at the request of HRF participant organisations with the support of Save the Children Cambodia (See Consultancy ToR in Annex 1). The objective of the report is to present an overview of the information submitted from NGO assessment teams in order to: 1) gain a better understanding of the drought situation for HRF participant member organisations to plan their individual interventions; and 2) provide HRF members with a synthesized report to share with stakeholders. 3. Methodology and Report Limitations The report is a compilation of rapid assessment reports by 11 NGOs collected before 20 May 2016 through their local partners on the drought situation in Cambodia. Assessments were undertaken in 18 out of the 25 provinces in Cambodia: Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Otdar Meanchey, Pursat, Prey Veng, Kampong Cham, Kampong Speu, Kratie, Battambang, Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Koh Kong, Kampong Chhnang, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng and Tbong Khmum, Kampot and Kampong Thom. Figure 1: Provinces and districts where assessments were undertaken # Province District Organisation 1 Banteay Svay Chek, ThmaPuok, Au Chrov CHF, Samaratan Purse and World Meanchey Vision 2 Battambang Songke CHF 3 Kampong Chhang Kampong Leaeng, Sameakki Mean PIN, Save the Children , CHF, HEKS Chey, Tuek Phos 4 Kampong Speu Kong Pisey, Boseth CHF, DCA/CA and LWD Thpong and Phnom Srouch 5 Kampong Cham Korng Meas Save the Children 6 Kampong Thom Baray, Steung Sen, Kampot Svay Action Aid, CWS Kg Svay 7 Kampot Chhouk, Teukchou Action Aid 8 Kratie Chhlong, Chit borey, Save the Children, Samaritans Purse, Sambo CHF, Action Aid 9 Koh Kong Koh Kong District Save the Children, CARE and PIN KhemaraPhoumin, and Botom Sakor Action Aid Sre Ambel 10 Mondulkiri Pechreada CARE 11 Oddar Meanchey, Trapeang Prasat, Som Roung, Chong Action Aid, CHF Kal, Krong Samroang Banteay Ampil 6 12 Pursat Bakan, Krakor, Kandieng PIN, Save the Children , CHF, Action Aid 13 Prey Veng Kampong Trabaek, Preah Sdach, Ba Save the Children, CHF, CARE Phnum, Svay Antor, Kamchay Mear, Me Sang 14 Preah Vihear Rovieng , Choam Ksant Save the Children, Action Aid, CWS Kuleaen Chhaeb 15 Ratanakiri Ou Chum, Andoung Meas Plan International, WHH, Borkeo district, Taveng District