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Cambodia's water and sanitation crisis

More than 2 million people in Cambodia lack access to safe water, and 3 million lack access to improved sanitation. With approximately 77 percent of Cambodians living in rural areas, poor access to safe water and sanitation disproportionately affects its 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.

In Cambodia and around the world, millions are navigating the COVID-19 pandemic with the added challenge of living without access to safe water. Now more than ever access to safe water is critical to the health of families in Cambodia.

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 laid the groundwork in Cambodia in 2014 and launched the first WaterCredit program in 2015. The program had an ambitious goal of reaching more than 300,000 people in three years and we achieved that goal in less than two years. This demonstrates our smart solutions are a great fit in the Cambodian market and shows the strong commitment of our partner institutions.

1.9 M
1.9 million people now have access to safe water or sanitation at home
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Water.org is currently partnering with 11 financial institutions, as well as exploring new partnerships with additional local institutions. We are exploring opportunities to expand WaterCredit through a diverse set of partners, including providing hygiene and financial literacy education to build consumer demand for water and sanitation loan products.

We are also working with local water utilities by providing technical assistance to strengthen their operational performance. This enables utilities to secure loans to improve their services as well as offer affordable financing to their clients to expand piped connections at the household level.

1.9 M 1.9 million people reached
$227 M $227 million in loans disbursed by our partners
435 K 435,000 loans disbursed for water and sanitation
  • Stories of Impact

    Giving babies a healthy start with water

    For Sophon, there was nothing beautiful about the water-related burdens she endured much of her life in rural Cambodia. She wanted to end those burdens for her son.

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    Sophon
  • Stories of Impact

    Sok's family has safe water now

    Across the country of Cambodia more than 2 million people in need lack access to safe water. Like millions of other women, to get the water Sok’s family needed to survive, she had no choice but to collect it from a nearby river. Read about how Sok got affordable access to safe water.

    Read more
    Sok
  • Stories of Impact

    Hang and Phat have much to celebrate

    Hang and Phat live in a rural Cambodian village. Their son recently announced his engagement to be married. It is traditional to host the celebration at the groom’s family home but Hang and Phat did not have a toilet. Read about how Water.org's work in Cambodia changed their story.

    Read more
    Hang-Phat.jpg
See all Cambodia stories

Cambodia impact statistics

People reached 1.9 million

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

Capital mobilized (USD) 227 million

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

Loans disbursed 453,000

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

Number of active partners 11

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) $522

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 $6.00/day 90%

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

To help us reach more people in need of safe water and sanitation in Cambodia, donate today.

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