Vulnerability of livelihoods in flood-prone areas: A case study in Kandal of Cambodia and An Giang of Vietnam Nguyen Duy Can¹, S. Sophat² and S. Khom³ ¹ Cantho University, Vietnam ² Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia ³ Cambodian National Mekong Committee E-mail: ndcan@ctu.edu.vn
Outline Introduction Objectives Methodology Results Summary/Conclusions 2
Introduction The LMB is considered prone to flood hazards, which would be affected by Mekong river system and global climate variability In general, about 4 M ha in Cambodia and 2.7 M ha in Vietnam are subjected to flood-prone areas Thousands of villages in both countries are vulnerable to floods, especially in the remote villages along the Cambodian Vietnamese border (Kandal & An Giang) Most vulnerable flooding areas along the Cambodia Vietnam border Photo: Satellite image of flood 2001 3
Introduction (2) Negative impacts of flood and CC have became more severe and affected to people s livelihoods; Along Cambodia-Vietnam border, floods have been caused dead, houses destroyed, agricultural lost, and poverty; PHOTO: Flood caused damage in agriculture Current local rural people have a limited understanding about them leading their livelihoods more vulnerable to flood and poverty. PHOTO: Livelihoods &poverty in flood areas 4
Objectives This project aims to assess the sources of livelihoods and improve understanding of conditions in the flood-prone provinces along Cambodia-Vietnam border. This study is based on an empirical study of livelihood assets and coping strategies, that also aims to provide recommendations on how to strengthen adaptive capacities at household, community and provincial levels. 5
Methodology Study site: The study was carried out at 2 provinces along Cambodia-Vietnam border Using Sustainable Livelihood Framework to guide the assessment of livelihood to floods (Examining five livelihood assets: natural, human, physical, social and financial capitals). Applied a Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) that developed by M.B. Hahn et al. (2009) to estimate the different impacts of floods. 6
Results 1: Impacts of flood and sectors vulnerable to flood & CC are examined at 2 countries Financial Physical An Giang Kandal Human 0,50 0,40 0,30 0,20 0,10 0,00 Social Natural 0 = least vulnerable 0.5 = most vulnerable The diagram shows the LVI results for all types capital of 2 provinces along Cambodia- Vietnam border; The overall LVI of Kandal was found to be 0.432, which makes Kandal's livelihoods moderately vulnerable to the possible impacts of flood and CC, higher than the overall LVI of An Giang which was 0.362. 7
Results 2: Community groups more vulnerable to flood & CC are identified at 2 countries Vulnerability to flood of HHs was different amongst social groups (SGs), poor HHs have faced most suffering from floods Overall effect index for all SGs in Kandal of Cambodia (earlier flooding areas) was higher than that in An Giang of Vietnam (later flooding areas). Household assets Effect index for SGs in AG Effect index for SGs in KD Rich Medium Poor Rich Medium Poor Human 0.275 0.327 0.329 0.370 0.381 0.407 Natural 0.348 0.364 0.365 0.376 0.388 0.424 Social 0.247 0.304 0.310 0.466 0.482 0.514 Physical 0.277 0.290 0.299 0.308 0.308 0.345 Financial 0.373 0.427 0.490 0.417 0.500 0.534 Overall effect index 0.320 0.362 0.371 0.413 0.423 0.466 8
Results 3: Possible adaptation measures related to flood & CC are determined at 2 countries On the basic of results, we identified a number of coping strategies. These coping strategies were closely linked to livelihood of HHs conditions and clues for seeking of appropriate policy to reduce. Kandal (Cambodia) case, example: Scale of interest Provincial, district Commune/ Community Key actors Provincial/district authorities, CDM, DAFF, DWRM, CRC Commune authority, commune CDM, NGOs, HHs, associations Institutional response Policies and programs; Funding, relief, Emergency response Response to policies; Social safety networking; relief Household Individual Family; Relative networks Current practice and future strategies to reduce Early warning system Planning and providing aid relief Flood management and mitigation program Mobile phone program Flood damage and need assessment Build infrastructure Improve irrigation Construct safe place Provide filter water and build reservoir Training about agric. techniques, health care Community-based disaster preparedness Upgrade and strengthening house Relocate to safety place Protect wells for domestic water use Change crop variety and cropping pattern Seek more jobs for income generation 9
Results 3 (cont.) An Giang (Vietnam) case, example: Scale of interest Provincial, district Village/ Community Key actors Provincial/district authorities, CCFSC, DARD, DoNRE, Banks Village authority, mass org., village CFSC, companies, households Institutional response Direction, policies and programs; Funding, relief, loans; Emergency response Follow and implement policies; Social safety networking; revolving loans; relief Household Individual Family; Relative networks Current practice and future strategies to reduce Propagation of Living with flood model; Construction of flood protected residential cluster (FPRC); Propagation of 4 on-site principle model; Construction and upgrading of dikes, canals for triple rice; Setting-up early warning system program; Allocate funds for flood disaster management. Propagation children care centre model; Strengthening and repairing infrastructure (dykes, embankments, roads, school); Propagation for raising people s awareness in flood impact and mgt; More training on swimming skills for children; Management of FPRC and provides jobs. Adjust cropping system and pattern; Strengthening and repairing infrastructure (dykes, roads, ); Resettle or temporary live FPRC to avoid flood; Migration elsewhere for employment. 10
Results 4: Transboundary assessment are conducted for seeking adaptation options to flood &CC In this project, two neighboring countries (Cambodia and Vietnam) have jointly conducted transboundary impacts and assessment As of the project outcomes, this study brings community of scientists and local people from two bordering countries to solve & share their common problems and knowledge for adaptation to flood & CC. 11
Summary/Conclusions The two case studies in Cambodia & Vietnam provide methods for assessing the relative of livelihoods to flood impacts - LVI In both sites, livelihood-based approaches need to be considered for flood management and CC strategies Besides, this study provides an example of transboundary aspects of CC adaptation. 12
Thank you This presentation is a part of outputs from research project funded by SUMERNET, we wish to thank SUMERNET for its support for this study.