Cambodia has been identified as one of the countries in South-East Asia most vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change.  Much of this vulnerability is attributed to low adaptive capacity, characterised by high rates of poverty, low levels of education, and health system resource and infrastructure limitations. 

Previous assessments have identified several priority climate-sensitive threats to health in Cambodia, including vector-borne diseases, food and water-related diseases, food insecurity, and extreme weather events.  However, little data relevant to these risks is available, and existing monitoring and surveillance systems are limited.  Furthermore, there is little knowledge of other potential health impacts of climate change in Cambodia, such as heat-related illness, allergic diseases, and effects on mental and occupational health.

We describe current health sector adaptation programs in Cambodia, which aim to improve community and health professionals’ understanding of the health risks posed by climate change, strengthen national institutional capacity for surveillance of climate-sensitive diseases (particularly vector-borne and water-related diseases), and enhance health sector capacity to reduce disaster risk.  We also discuss approaches to the identification and quantification of additional climate-sensitive risks in the context of data and resource limitations, and how these may be used to guide the design and implementation of future health sector adaptation programs in Cambodia.  

Given Cambodia’s significant vulnerability to climate change and the broad scope of adaptation opportunities and challenges, we would be grateful for the chance to participate in and present at the Vulnerable Communities Network session.