Cambodia Infrastructure and Clean Water

Stats Southeast Asia 15.5 million people o 8% population lives in Phnom Penh, 20% in other urban areas, 72% in rural areas 181,000 sq km GDP = $39 billion Tonle Sap Lake = main source of freshwater

Poverty About 4 million people live on $1.25/day Rural areas lack basic infrastructure Infant mortality rate is 51.3 per 1,000 births - 36th in world rankings Life expectancy is years in world rankings

Khmer Rouge Regime Came into power in 1975, lasted into the ‘90s Maoist and Marxist-Leninist goals o “wanted to transform Cambodia into a rural, classless society in which there were no rich people, no poor people, and no exploitation” Measures o abolished money, free markets, normal schooling, private property, foreign clothing styles, religious practices, and traditional Khmer culture”

Khmer Rouge Effects Genocide led to the deaths of 2-4 million Cambodian citizens o Targets for execution included educated people such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, and teachers Loss of intellectuals led to a loss of economic development, investment, and human capital

Corruption Ranked 160 out of 177 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index o Bribes required for medical care, court verdicts, traffic violations, marriage and birth certificates Aid filters through corrupt government officials who take a cut o Money meant to build infrastructure doesn’t go where it’s intended

Infrastructure Local officials put more focus on developing schools and roads but forget about water supply Corrupt government, limited education opportunities, few jobs, high income inequality all result in very little FDI

Cambodia’s Water Problem 6.3 million Cambodians have no access to clean water or basic sanitation Only 40% of people in rural areas have clean water, 80% in the capital of Phnom Penh

Arsenic Poisoning 1607 villages and Phnom Penh are considered to be at risk, or about 2.25 million people Found in tube wells - shallow, dug wells have lower levels of arsenic concentrations

Water Contamination Causes Contamination comes from domestic, agricultural, and industrial pollution o Groundwater has naturally high levels of arsenic, fluoride, and nitrate o Poor storage and handling practices also contribute to contamination

Floating Villages 8 floating villages on the Tonle Sap lake About 800 households, holding 6,000 people No latrines, no way of purifying the water

Other problems Melting Himalayan peaks and monsoon season used to force water upstream and into the forests, which would become fish nurseries. As the forests drained back into the lake, the fishermen would have plenty of fish to catch Irregular wet seasons and dam building on the Mekong in China have led to diminished flows downriver and less fish

Effects of Water Contamination Lack of clean water leads to the spread of waterborne illnesses, including: Diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever Water-related illnesses kill about 3 million people every year 90% are children under the age of 5 83/1,000 children die before age 5

Economic Effects $448 million in economic losses due to poor sanitation o Health, water, welfare, and tourism costs Affects children in schools o Less focused o Decreased attendance rates

Solutions Health and hygiene education Rainwater storage tanks for drinking/cooking water Hand washing stations Water purification system at a school, hospital, orphanage, etc. Stop corruption