National Action Plan for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation 2019-2023.

The National Action Plan for Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (NAP II) 2019–2023, developed by Cambodia’s Ministry of Rural Development, aims to ensure that by 2023, rural populations have increased access to equitable, sustainable, and safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. The plan aligns with Cambodia’s Sustainable Development Goals and supports broader national development strategies. Building on the achievements of the first NAP (2014–2018), NAP II targets 90% coverage for basic WASH services, with a focus on inclusivity, climate resilience, and institutional capacity. It outlines four key outputs: strengthening institutional capacity and coordination; expanding access to safe water; improving sanitation services, especially in challenging environments; and promoting hygiene behavior change. To achieve these goals, NAP II includes detailed activity clusters, performance indicators, and a financing strategy estimating a public funding need of approximately US$280.6 million over five years. The focus on equality will be strengthened through, among other things, specific actions targeted at poor households and people living in challenging environments.
NAP II integrates cross-cutting issues by embedding gender equity, nutrition, and climate change adaptation into its core strategies. It promotes gender-sensitive infrastructure, such as single-sex toilets and menstrual hygiene management in schools and health facilities, and encourages women’s participation in leadership and decision-making. Convergence of rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene with nutrition improvement interventions will also be promoted. Climate resilience is addressed through the development of water safety plans, climate-proof infrastructure designs, and disaster risk management measures.