Blog

By Ms. Chey Maramy and Ms. Sim Sovachana

On October 10, 2024, in a small coastal community in Kampot Province, a gathering took place to discuss the findings of a study titled “Climate Change Adaptation through a Cash-Transfer Program (CTP) – Empirical Experiences from Coastal Communities” undertaken by the National Institute of Social Affairs (NISA) in collaboration with Advocacy and Policy Institute (API) and Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT). Attendees included local leaders, residents, and officials from Kampot, Kep, Sihanoukville, and Koh Kong. The event focused on validating the findings of the study. 

The workshop was more than just the presentation of data as it blossomed into a vibrant forum for dialogue, collaboration, and shared aspirations, illustrating how coastal communities could strengthen their resilience against the challenges posed by climate change.

The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Sam Chanthy, a researcher who led the CTP study. His approach was interactive and welcoming. Rather than merely presenting the research, Dr. Chanthy actively engaged the audience, encouraging them to share their perspectives and concerns. This participatory environment quickly broke down barriers, creating an atmosphere where even the most reserved community members felt comfortable voicing their opinions. Local villagers, who might have remained quiet in more formal settings, spoke up, enriching the discussion with their firsthand experiences. 

The study’s findings sparked a variety of responses. One notable exchange involved a representative from the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), who added context to the research’s assessment of the “1294” disaster alert system. The study noted that the system was only partially effective. However, the official admitted that “Despite the system’s technical capabilities, budget constraints have limited outreach efforts, resulting in a low registration rate among community members.” Many local community members, therefore, remained uninformed during critical moments, underscoring the gap between policy implementation and intended outcomes. 

Among the local leaders attending the workshop was Mrs. Sok Chanthy, the 66-year-old Commune Chief from Trapang Thom village in Kampot Province. A respected figure, Mrs. Sok Chanthy participated enthusiastically in the group discussions. She said, “The cash-transfer program holds the potential to alleviate poverty and support the most vulnerable in my community.” She also emphasized the urgent need for environmental restoration, particularly the mangroves in her region. She believes that the restoration of these coastal ecosystems can help stabilize local weather patterns, possibly bringing back much-needed rainfall and easing the oppressive heat that had plagued the area. 

(Trapeang Sangkae village, Kampot)

However, her concerns extended beyond environmental matters. Mrs. Sok Chanthy pointed out the delays in issuing ID Poor cards—essential documents for accessing healthcare and other social services for poor households. Many families in her village had been waiting for over a month for their new cards, causing them to miss out on critical services. She expressed relief at being able to voice these concerns in the workshop, where she felt genuinely heard. Mrs. Sok Chanthy left the event not only with newfound insights but also with a plan to relay what she had learned to her fellow leaders in the commune, ensuring that the messages from the workshop would be passed on to village chiefs and, ultimately, to every resident. 

While local leaders like Mrs. Sok Chanthy brought their insights to the table, others, like Mrs. Srey Im, represented the most vulnerable households in these coastal communities. Srey Im stood out for her courage and determination. She had travelled from Trapeang Sangkae, a village known for its award-winning ecotourism efforts centered around its lush mangrove forests.1 Despite the village’s growing ecotourism industry, life remains challenging for Srey Im, a mother of four who earns a modest living by plucking chickens for about 30,000 Riels ($7.50) per day.

Invited by the commune chief to attend the workshop, this was Mrs. Srey Im’s first experience at such an event. Initially, the unfamiliar surroundings of the hotel venue made her feel out of place, but the warm and inclusive environment put her at ease. Dr. Chanthy’s presentation, which focused on the direct experiences of communities like hers, deeply resonated with Mrs. Srey Im. As the session progressed, she gathered the courage to speak up. 

Nervously at first, but with growing confidence, she shared the hardships her family and neighbors faced, from financial struggles to the climate’s increasingly harsh impacts on their livelihoods. “The cash-transfer program has been a lifeline for families like us, but delays in aid distribution often leave the poorest households vulnerable during critical moments,” she stressed. Her voice, representing not just her household but her entire village, carried weight in the discussions. 

By the end of the workshop, Mrs. Srey Im felt more empowered than she had when she arrived. “I appreciate the opportunity to engage with officials, leaders, and other community members from different areas, sharing knowledge and experiences,” she added. Before the day ended, she also spoke about her personal struggles, revealing that her home was on the verge of collapse and that she lacked the funds to repair it. The local authorities listened to her and she left the workshop with a sense that her concerns had been heard. 

For most participants, the workshop was much more than an academic exercise. It became a platform where real problems were discussed, and potential solutions were considered, not just in the context of climate change but also in terms of broader socioeconomic challenges. Leaders like Mrs. Sok Chanthy and villagers like Mrs. Srey Im found common ground, bringing together their shared hopes for a future where their communities could adapt and thrive despite the growing threat of climate change. 

The event highlighted a crucial lesson: the path to effective climate change adaptation lies beyond government policy and scientific research. It is deeply rooted in community engagement, where local voices and lived experiences take center stage. The power of such dialogues, where villagers, officials, and researchers come together, lies in their ability to generate shared understanding, foster empathy, and ignite collective action. As the workshop concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that by continuing to speak up and work together, they can build a more resilient future for their coastal communities, one conversation at a time.