The Asian Development Bank yesterday announced a pledge of nearly $82 million in financing to Cambodia to help with recovery after last year’s floods, and to strengthen infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of future extreme weather.

According to the ADB, the $81.7 million – which includes a $6.7 million grant from the Australian government – will go towards rebuilding nearly 400 kilometres of roads, three bridges and nine irrigation plants in six provinces, with construction to wrap up in 2017.

“Reconstruction of critical infrastructure will help restore livelihoods by re-establishing access to markets and social services and increasing agricultural production,” Eric Sidgwick, ADB country director for Cambodia, said in the statement.

Earlier this month, Cambodia’s National Committee for Disaster Management revised down its estimated cost for flood-related repairs to $356 million from $500 million. Flooding last year affected 20 provinces, killing 168 people.