This document summarizes efforts in Cambodia to strengthen climate resilience and institutional capacity for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. It discusses the establishment of national committees to address these issues and Cambodia's participation in international frameworks. It outlines interventions conducted by civil society organizations, UN agencies, and the government to better integrate climate risks into policy and planning from the national to local levels. These include influencing national strategies, sharing best practices, awareness campaigns, and strengthening the capacity of disaster management committees. Lessons learned include the need for improved coordination and guidance on mainstreaming climate issues. The document calls for further work to strengthen coordination and develop a task force to promote climate-smart disaster risk management.

1. Strengthening Climate Resilience Regional Consultation Workshop Institutional Enhancement on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Kingdom of Cambodia The Davis Hotel Bangkok 22 nd -23 rd .July.2010

2. Background Government mechanisms to cope with changes National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) was created in early 2006, by sub-decree by the Cambodian Council of Ministers (19 government ministries and agencies). Disaster Management Committee at national and sub-national levels were created by sub-degree. Cambodia government ratified UNFCCC, Kyoto protocol, Hyogo Framework for Action and Asian Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) National Adaptation Program of Action on Climate Change (NAPA) has been developed in 2006. CCA Funding: EU & WB (Cambodia government agreed on Pilot Program on Climate Resilience (PPCR) )

3. Civil society organizations and UN Agencies coordinating interventions towards Institutional Enhancement Plan-International Oxfam ADPC CEDAC LWF Action-Aid World Vision Concern CARE ZoA UN agencies etc

4. Interventions and Achievements National level Influenced NCDM to work with Ministry of Planning to integrate DRR and Climate Change interventions in National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) 2009-2013. The Strategic National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (SNAP), directly ties into climate change adaptation activities . Component 5.5, ‘ Integrate DRR into climate change adaptation programs ’ Promote and share best practices and lesson learnt on DRR and CCA through DRR Forum held every quarter led by NCDM-government agency.

5. National level (Con’t) Interventions by Cambodian Civil society: Established national climate change network which meet every month. Joint Action Group among DRR agencies is establish with involvement or Oxfam, Concern, AcitonAid, ADPC, DCA,DRC,LWF,CWS and CRC. Promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation through awareness campaigns : ticktick campaign, environment day … etc Promoting greater dialogue on climate change adaptation and mitigation among donors, UN agencies and other NGOs

6. National level (Con’t) Cooperated with Ministry of Education to mainstream DRR by focusing on climate risks (flood and drought) into geography and earth science topics of secondary school curriculum. Collect evidence based from grassroots levels to inform policies markers and NGOs to promote CCA initiative in the country ( case studies published in farmer magazines, policy brief note on children and CCA, KAP surveys on CC …etc)

7. National level (Con’t) Cooperate with Ministry of Women Affairs to Integrate DRR and CCA into ministry policies and program ( MoH, MAFF, MRD and MoWRAM) The draft national strategy on social protection strategy has been mainstreamed climate change adaptation NCDM consultation with NGOs and UN agencies on draft DM law seeking to ensure mainstreaming of Climate Change into the law.

8. Sub-National level CSO contribution to government policy: Hazard Vulnerability and Capacity assessment (HVCA): Increased capacity of Disaster Management Committees (DMC) at sub-national levels: to conduct HVCA which integrate future climate uncertaintiesl to develop DRR plans, and to mainstream DRR & CCA into Commune Investment Plan/Commune Development Plan. Changes in debate: C ommune leaders (leaders of disaster management committee at commune level) are better able to interact with others, exchange ideas and participate in at national platforms to articulate their concerns and needs to national leaders and civil society organization

9. Sub-National level CSOs have contributed to National policy: Enhancing adaptive capacities : DMC at sub-national level are better able to develop contingency planning based on identified scenarios which focus on the changing climate. DMC at sub-national level are better able to raise awareness (eg: celebration of DRR day) and mobilize community action towards strengthening resilience (eg: tree planting and environmental protection campaigns) DMC at sub-national level actively coordination and planning mechanism in most province where DRR projects are going.

10. Lessons learnt Multi- stakeholders have the same objectives and activities but different priorities for interventions. Lack of comprehensive guide to mainstream DRR and CCA. Limited reach and scale for capacity building of disaster management committees at sub-national level on DRR and CCA -- in non NGOs target areas. Strong coordination and commitment from civil society organizations in supporting NCDM to promote the linkage of DRR and CCA.

11. Recommendations Further work needed to strengthen the coordination work between NCDM and NCCC on promoting DRR and CCA. A taskforce on promoting climate smart approach to DRM needs to be developed for strong coordination and effective impact

12. Publications DRR booklets and posters Farmer magazines Governmental Policy documents (SNAP,NAPA, NSDP) Policy briefing note on climate change adaptation and children Teacher and student books on geography and earth science topics of secondary school curriculum