PHNOM PENH, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an investment program to help Cambodia expand access to safe water supply, and strengthen water security and resilience in its cities, the lender said in a press release on Monday.
The program, involving a total investment of 763 million U.S. dollars, will utilize a multi-tranche financing facility to improve basic urban services in 14 cities and 12 districts across the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and coastal regions, the press release said.
The loan will boost inclusive coverage of basic urban services, with approximately 15 percent of direct beneficiaries from poor households, it added.
Cambodia has made notable progress in recent years, with access to basic water and sanitation rising to nearly 83 percent each in 2024, from 73 percent and 54 percent, respectively, in 2015, the press release said.
However, critical gaps remain, it said, adding that services such as sewerage, drainage, and solid waste management require significant upgrades to meet growing demand and address challenges from extreme weather events. ■
