Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has called for stronger disaster management and greater investment in climate resilience as extreme weather threatens communities. …reports Asian Lite News Desk
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has urged authorities to strengthen disaster management by increasing human and material resources, warning that climate change and environmental degradation are intensifying risks across the country. He has also called on households to improve emergency preparedness as Cambodia continues to face floods, droughts and other extreme weather events.
In an official message marking National Disaster Management Day on Tuesday, which coincides with ASEAN Day for Disaster Management and the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Hun Manet said disaster risks were becoming increasingly complex and were evolving rapidly due to environmental, social and economic factors.
“Climate change, rapid urbanisation, and environmental degradation pose serious threats to sustainable social and economic development,” he said.
The prime minister said Cambodia continued to experience a range of extreme weather conditions, including rising temperatures during the rainy season, irregular rainfall, strong winds, lightning strikes and riverbank collapses. Infectious diseases and fires also posed threats to human lives and community property, according to a report by Xinhua news agency.
To reduce the impact of these hazards, Hun Manet directed authorities at all levels to prioritise flood and drought management. He stressed the need to upgrade local water infrastructure and closely monitor vulnerable households to strengthen climate resilience across the country.
The prime minister also urged citizens to take greater responsibility for household disaster preparedness. He called on families to develop safety and preparedness plans and assemble emergency kits containing clean water, dry food, medicines, a radio and essential documents.
He advised residents to inspect and reinforce their homes to protect against strong winds and lightning. He also highlighted the importance of safeguarding children, older people, people with disabilities and pregnant women during emergencies.
Hun Manet called for greater public investment in making housing more resilient, particularly for vulnerable families. He said stronger social safety nets, access to adequate and safe shelter, and the timely sharing of disaster risk information with communities were essential to protecting livelihoods and sustaining Cambodia’s economic growth.
The warning comes as Cambodia continues to face the consequences of severe weather. Data from the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) showed that heavy rainfall last month triggered widespread flooding across parts of 10 provinces.
The floods directly affected nearly 60,000 families and forced approximately 5,000 families to evacuate to designated safe areas.
Rising waters inundated around 52,000 homes and damaged more than 72,000 hectares of rice paddies, highlighting the impact of extreme weather on households, agriculture and local communities.
The prime minister’s message emphasised the need for coordinated action by government agencies, local authorities and citizens to improve disaster preparedness and reduce the risks posed by climate change.
