WASHINGTON: The World Bank announced a $163 million project to strengthen water and sanitation services across four provinces on November 21. According to a World Bank press release, the Water Supply and Sanitation Promotion Project will benefit more than 175,000 people, especially women and impoverished populations in rural areas. The project will also contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Despite Cambodia’s progress in clean water access and sanitation, the World Bank said, “In 2022, less than a third of Cambodians had access to a safely managed water supply, and just over a third used safely managed sanitation.”

Maryam Salim, World Bank Country Manager for Cambodia, emphasized that safe water access is a human right and that the newly approved project will help the government build a strong foundation to making the right available to all.

The six-year project will support the government to improve access to clean water and sanitation, improve the operation and maintenance of existing systems, and ensure the sustainability of services in Battambang, Pursat, Mondulkiri and Kandal.