A bridge in Takeo Province damaged by floodwaters in October. NCDM
Around 15 per cent of Cambodia’s total population and 16 per cent of its agricultural land are at risk of flooding, while by 2050, climate change could reduce the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by approximately 3% to 9.4%, according to a disaster risk assessment report, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and geospatial data.
The National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) unveiled their report today, December 6. This marks the first use of AI and geospatial data to assess and analyse disaster risks in the country, providing detailed insights into flood and drought risks using data collected since 2001.
Experts at the launch highlighted that traditional risk assessment methods are no longer sufficient to manage disasters or address increasingly severe climate change impacts.
The report indicated that Cambodia is highly vulnerable to flood and drought risks, with significant socio-economic impacts. Over the past two decades, these disasters have caused annual losses averaging $148 million.
“Cambodia faces severe threats from floods and droughts, particularly in high-risk communes around Tonle Sap Lake, along the Mekong River and in the southern plains,” the report read.
Additionally, approximately 29 per cent of the population and 33 per cent of agricultural land are exposed to drought risks.
NCDM deputy secretary-general Khun Sokha noted at the event that disaster and climate risk assessments have reached a new level through the integration of AI systems. He said these provide critical data to support disaster management efforts amid worsening global climate change.
“Climate change is driven by human actions. We cannot prevent it from happening but must find ways to adapt and build resilience,” he added.
Sokha stressed the need for innovative solutions and strategies to mitigate risks effectively.
“We cannot eliminate risks 100 per cent, but we can minimise them as much as possible,” he said.
He also highlighted that the country has faced numerous disasters causing billions of dollars in damages and impacting livelihoods, particularly in vulnerable areas.
“Accurate data enhances our planning and ensures effective and efficient disaster management strategies,” Sokha added.
He noted that the report’s findings are being used to design pre-emptive strategic plans aimed at reducing risk, acknowledging that disasters often occur unpredictably. He said these plans also contribute to decision-making processes at higher leadership levels.
WFP country director Claire Conan recalled the 2020 floods, one of the worst in 50 years, which severely affected many communities. She noted that the country faces significant threats from climate change, particularly in the form of floods and droughts, which continue to have profound impacts.
“Today's event is an opportunity to delve into these innovations and discuss how we can further harness these technologies to support risk-informed decision-making in disaster risk management and social protection in particular,” she said.
She added that by 2050, climate change could potentially reduce the country’s GDP by 3 to 9 per cent. The 2020 floods, she stressed, highlighted the urgent need for timely and accurate risk assessments to protect vulnerable communities and accelerate support delivery.
“It revealed that traditional risk assessment methods were no longer sufficient to address these challenges, which will intensify with climate change,” she said, adding that since then, advanced technologies like AI and geospatial data have transformed our understanding of localised risks.
The granular insights that they enable offer new opportunities for evidence-based and risk-informed policy planning, budgeting and targeting across all sectors, leading to better decision-making that ultimately saves lives and protects livelihoods and economic gains, she added.
“Essentially, this is about using technology to safeguard our communities and build a more resilient Cambodia,” she explained, adding that their journey aligns with global efforts to harness technology for disaster risk reduction. By leveraging AI and geospatial data, she said, they are positioning the country as a leader in innovative disaster risk management.
The launch event included presentations on AI and geospatial data applications, discussions and Q&A sessions on disaster risk assessments.
Key points discussed included strengthening government institutions’ capacity to use AI, machine learning and geospatial data for precise disaster analysis, improving vulnerability assessments with AI-based modelling and integrating real-time satellite observations with field socio-economic data for up-to-date vulnerability assessments.
Additionally, the report recommended enhancing the accuracy and validity of AI for risk assessment models by linking geospatial information with survey and evaluation data. It also suggested incorporating long-term climate change projections into localised climate data to improve the precision and effectiveness of assessments in addressing climate change challenges.
