UN Climate Change Report Finds Cambdia Ill-Prepared

The first-ever report on the direct effect of climate change on Cambodia’s population was launched yesterday in Phnom Penh, highlighting significant flaws in the country’s ability to deal with future health, finanace and food supply issues. The UN Development Program’s Cambodia Human Development Report 2011, launched yesterday at Phnom Penh’s Cambodiana Hotel, details contributing factors to climate change issues such as deforestation, mismanagement of rivers and economic pressures on resources, such as timber and other agricultural exports. The report acknowledges that Cambodia has experience huge economic growth and made progress in tackling poverty, but “performance has not been even, and costs have been significant,” with poverty alleviation not being felt by those who most need it most: rural villagers.