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Cambodia

Cambodia's water and sanitation crisis

Out of its population of 16 million people, 12 million people (72% of the population) lack access to a reliable, safely managed source of water, and 3.8 million people (23%) lack access to improved sanitation solutions. With approximately 75 percent of Cambodians living in rural areas, lack of access to safe water and sanitation disproportionately affects rural communities.

Although Cambodia has one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, access to affordable financing for water and sanitation remains a barrier for families to secure water connections and toilets for their homes. And the country is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. There is positive momentum as the government of Cambodia set an aggressive goal to reach 100 percent access to improved water and sanitation in rural areas by 2025.

2 million Lack access to safe water
Capital: Phnom Penh
Population of 16 million
3 million people lack access to improved sanitation

Our impact in Cambodia

Cambodia is an ideal environment for our financial solution. A well-developed microfinance sector in a country with high water and sanitation needs represents an excellent opportunity for expanding access to affordable financing for water supply and sanitation improvements.

Water.org launched our WaterCredit solution here in 2015, and our first program reached more than 300,000 people in less than two years, demonstrating our smart solutions are a great fit in the Cambodian market and showing the strong commitment of our partner institutions.

Water.org is currently working with microfinance institutions, reaching 90% of the communes in Cambodia through WaterCredit. We are also working directly with local water utilities (private water operators) to improve and expand their services to reach even more people in need of access to safe water and sanitation at home.

2 million
2 million people now have access to safe water or sanitation at home
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With access to safe water and sanitation at home, families in Cambodia have the health, hope, and opportunity to create bright futures.

A vision for future impact in Cambodia

There is great opportunity for further impact in Cambodia. We plan to scale and expand our work with microfinance institutions and commercial banks through WaterCredit – specifically with new digital finance and mobile banking solutions, strengthen the water and sanitation supply providers to help them reach underserved areas, and identify other solutions to continue to bring capital and financing solutions into the sector.

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  • Stories of Impact

    Where safe water and education flow

    Sa knows all too well the time and health challenges of the water crisis. And so does someone else in her community who decided to do something about it. Read about how one man's decision has helped changed this retired teacher's life and the lives of thousands of other people in their Cambodian community.

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  • Stories of Impact

    Drinks for their customers and their family

    It’s hard to believe that, just past Hai’s display of snacks and refreshing bottled beverages for sale there sits a home, Hai and Hoeun’s home, that once lacked a source of safe water. Read about how this couple gave their family safe water at home.

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  • Stories of Impact

    To the world he’s a dad but to his family, he is the world

    Thai shared the story of his life-long water crisis, his nine-year-old daughter, Maya, remained by his side. Holding her hand, he explained an element of his story that is rare when it comes to who collected water from distant sources before getting a household solution. Read more to find out what is so unique about Thai's story.

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See all Cambodia stories

Cambodia impact statistics

People reached 2 million

The number of people who now have access to safe water or sanitation and the health and opportunity they bring.

Capital mobilized (USD) $292 million

Our partners mobilize funds from capital markets to provide water and sanitation loans.

Loans disbursed 445,000

Our local partners make loans to people in need for life-changing safe water and sanitation solutions.

Number of active partners 6

We work with financial institutions, service providers, international agencies, and governments to make an impact.

Repayment rate 99%

Every repaid loan means another family in need can get affordable access to safe water at home.

Average loan size (USD) $658

Small loans can help make a big difference by providing long-term solutions for families in need around the world.

Percent of women borrowers 84%

Women are primarily responsible for household water collection and are solving the water crisis for their families.

Households living under $6.85/day 90%

We are committed to helping people living in poverty get access to safe water and sanitation solutions at home.

To help end the water crisis in Cambodia, donate today.

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