China, UNICEF expand sanitation cooperation

The People’s Republic of China and UNICEF are expanding their collaboration to enhance Cambodia’s health systems, focussing on clean water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), maternal and child health. This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure every child in Cambodia grows up healthy and with access to essential services.UNICEF shared the latest updates yesterday, highlighting a recent visit to Ratanakiri province by representatives from the Chinese Embassy. During the visit, the delegation engaged with local communities to better understand their challenges and witnessed the positive impact of their support in improving the well-being of children and families.

“This collaboration aims to ensure that every child thrives in a healthy environment with access to essential services,” UNICEF stated.

This is not the first time that China and UNICEF have joined forces in Cambodia.

In 2023, representatives from the People’s Republic of China, UNICEF Cambodia, and UNICEF China conducted a three-day field visit to evaluate the feasibility of implementing climate-resilient WASH technologies.

Through partnerships with China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and Ministry of Water Resources (MWR), UNICEF is spearheading a comprehensive programme to introduce innovative, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient water and sanitation solutions. The feasibility study in Cambodia focussed on leveraging Chinese expertise in solar-powered water supply systems, water purification, and faecal sludge treatment, aiming to address technological and infrastructure gaps.

“Climate change is a child rights crisis,” noted UNICEF Representative to Cambodia, Will Parks. “The Children’s Climate Risk Index ranks Cambodia among the top third of nations most vulnerable to climate change impacts. Water scarcity, riverine flooding, and vector-borne diseases pose significant risks to children. We are grateful to China and UNICEF China for supporting climate-resilient solutions that safeguard the most vulnerable communities.”

Despite progress, Cambodia continues to face significant water and sanitation challenges. In rural areas, one in four people lack access to clean water and proper sanitation, leading to public health risks and hindering economic development. Seasonal climate variations further exacerbate these challenges, with rural populations experiencing a 22% decrease in water access from the wet to dry season, compared to just 2% in urban areas.

UNICEF China’s Acting Representative, Nenad Radonjic, in the past has emphasised the importance of international cooperation.

“UNICEF China is committed to promoting collaboration on children’s rights and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Cambodia-China partnership is an excellent example of how we can facilitate knowledge exchange and technical cooperation in WASH, climate, and environmental sectors to tackle pressing global challenges,” he said.

Approximately a quarter of Cambodia’s population resides in areas with difficult sanitation conditions, including flood-prone regions and locations with high groundwater levels. These communities face numerous barriers to safe sanitation, including limited infrastructure for proper faecal sludge management.

China has played a significant role in supporting Cambodia’s health and education sectors. In 2020, representatives from Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MoEYS), the Chinese Embassy, and UNICEF collaborated to provide hygiene supplies and educational materials to over 3,000 community pre-schools. This initiative, funded by China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), helped approximately 70,000 children return to school safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.