1. FLOODS AND DROUGHTS IN 2002 IN THE CAMBODIAN PARTS OF THE MEKONG BASIN — EXPOSURE, RESPONSE AND LESSON LEARNED — Prepared for THE SECOND ANNUAL FLOOD FORUM, 28-29 OCTOBER 2003 by So Sophort, Deputy Director of Projects Department, and National FMM Coordinator for Cambodia, Cambodia National Mekong Committee  PRESENTATION OUTLINE:  Introduction  Flood and drought exposure and response  Flood  Drought  Emergency response  Flood management in Cambodia  Lessons learned  Recommendations

2. INTRODUCTION  Serious floods have caused damages to lives and property.  Loss as a result of floods in Cambodia:  2000: US$ 157 million and 362 people  2001: US$ 30 million and 62 people  2002: US$ over 12 million and 29 people  Two major agencies for FMM  Effectiveness is growing but still limited by resources

3. FLOOD AND DROUGHT EXPOSURE AND RESPONSE  Cambodia: Most prone country to natural disasters  Loss in 2002: Approx. US$ 34 mil.  Infrastructure development  Impact to national development efforts

4. FLOODS

5.  Floods in 2002 < 2001  Flood stemmed from storms and heavy rainfall  People in lying-low areas are mostly effected  Loss of economy and life is over US$ 12 mil. and 29 people, respectively  Very limited capacity in managing and mitigating floods

6. DROUGHT  Drought was the longest in the last 21-year periods for 2002  Agricultural crops depend fully on rainfall (approx. 82%)  Cultivation plan was not met.  Over 2 mil. people were affected  Total damage: Over US$ 21 mil.

7. EMERGENCY RESPONSE  Government stocks  Resources mobilization  Timely response to disaster-affected people  Good coordination and cooperation

8. FLOOD MANAGEMENT  General policy for flood mitigation and protection  Development of meteorological and hydrological networks  Effective and efficient mechanism in relief and emergency services  Joint efforts and cooperation

9. FLOOD MANAGEMENT cont.  Flood information disseminated  Flood forecasts are now rather accurate  Draft Law on Water Resources Management

10. LESSONS LEARNED  Natural disasters are a severe constraint on socio-economic development  Annual floods have become an essential element in the life of people  Impact of activities upstream and downstream  Flood mitigation requires real-time or near real-time information on weather and river flow

11. RECOMMENDATIONS  Capacity building to the field staff is strongly needed  An effective communication system to reach remote areas should be developed  Weather forecasts to ensure timely warning of natural occurrences should be further improved

12. RECOMMENDATIONS cont…  Emergency relief to flood victims should be made by MRC  Drought forecasting should be considered by MRC from now on, to assist the riparian countries in order to find appropriate ways to help farmers  Today's Forum should be continued

13. Thank you very much for your kind attention