Cambodia

Deforestation, climate change and high levels malnutrition are just some of the challenges facing this Southeast Asian country.

The impressive economic growth in Cambodia in recent years has had little impact on the most vulnerable people.

Many Cambodians have lived close to the poverty line for decades and now face a significant decline in their quality of life because of deforestation and climate change.

Cambodia is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, with regular monsoon flooding and localised droughts. Limited and unequal access to education and health services and low investment in public infrastructure, have also had an effect on access to food.

Country facts

16.2 million
Cambodia has a population of more than 16 million people.
146
Cambodia ranks 146th out of 189 countries in the Human Development Index
32.4%
More than 30% of Cambodian children under five suffer from malnutrition.

Nutrition remains a major concern in Cambodia and represents a lost economic opportunity. Estimates show the country may be losing as much as US$420 million of income every year due to malnutrition.

Undernutrition has also had a significant impact, particularly for young children – 24% of children under five are underweight and 10% suffer from life-threatening hunger.

Action Against Hunger’s work in Cambodia

Our teams work to improve hygiene, nutrition and healthcare in Cambodia. We focus on supporting pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children under two.

By collaborating with local stakeholders, we’re working to reduce undernutrition and lessen the impact of climate change on people’s ability to eat enough healthy food.

Other areas of our work include:

setting up community groups focused on improving access to food through rice banks, farming and home gardening
creating local water committees and providing people with improved water and sanitation
running care groups for mothers
hosting mothers and fathers at gender and nutrition sessions