Cambodia is at risk from a number of natural hazards, primarily of hydro-meteorological origin, and these hazards have, in the recent past, manifested themselves as disasters that have affected large segments of the nation's population. Damaging floods and drought in particular have, over the past 15 to 20 years, impacted mainly rural populations and have created the need for major relief operations and led to huge losses in agricultural incomes. Occasional major events such as Typhoon Ketsana in 2009 only go to compound this problem. Cambodia has responded by establishing institutions and structures to address the problem, chiefly the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), and similar structures at provincial, district and commune level. Thus, there has been an improvement in the approach and commitment to disaster risk management. However, gaps and threats still exist and there is a need to strengthen the system in the key areas and develop capacities that can improve its effectiveness. "Strengthening the Disaster Management Systems in Cambodia through Risk Assessment, Early Warning Systems and Developing Building Codes" aims to address some of the principle needs that hinder the full effectiveness of disaster risk management in Cambodia in these areas. Some risk assessment has been undertaken in the past but it is limited. Similarly, an early warning system is in place but there are gaps and it is difficult to identify the system as fully end to end. There are currently no building codes in Cambodia addressing the need for flood or storm proofing of homes and other buildings.

?The work has three sub-components: ? Sub-component 1, the development of national and provincial risk maps, intends to undertake probabilistic risk assessment and establish a software platform for risk maps, covering all provinces and identifying vulnerabilities and impacts on major sectors; ? Sub-component 2, emergency management information and early warning systems, aims to develop an end to end multi-hazard early warning system operating from national to community levels, together with the establishment of a disaster management information center and data systems that can manage damage and post disaster needs assessment. ? Sub-component 3, development of construction guidelines and codes for housing and buildings, aims to develop guidelines, standards and codes covering buildings to improve quality and sustainability.

For sub-component 1, the principle approaches will be to conduct a risk assessment and mapping at all levels and in all provinces; to identify risks and vulnerabilities and their impact on major sectors and response programs and to develop a web based risk atlas; to carry out a public consultations and to share the information gathered and developed within provinces, districts and communes to ensure awareness and develop capacity. For sub-component 2, the approach includes developing an action plan for improving weather related early warning; to develop NCDM?s capacity to better utilise and analyze disaster management information, largely through the establishment of a Disaster Management Information Center (DMIC) within the existing National Emergency Coordination Center at NCDM; the establishment of inter-agency coordination mechanisms and standard operating procedures for collecting and utilising data and reporting as well as developing a data collection, collation and reporting system; and standardization of assessment and reporting formats and the provision of guidance for those involved in data collection and reporting. For sub-component 3, the approach and methodology includes the establishment of coordination mechanisms with lead ministries; a review of current house building styles and standards; the recommendation of codes and standards for different types of construction in the building and housing sector in different affected areas; and the dissemination of guidelines and establishing the means of compliance. The technical assistance had been implemented through the Ketsana Relief and Rehabilitation Programme at NCDM under the guidance of His Excellency the Senior Minister and being managed by the Ketsana Relief and Rehabilitation Project (KERRP) Program Manager.