Abstract/Summary
To address the vulnerability to floods of five Mekong islands in Kampong Cham and Tboung Khmum provinces, the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) implemented the Strategic Program for Climate Resilience (SPCR) – The Five-Year Mekong River Island Connectivity Project (2016–2020) in Kampong Cham and Tboung Khmum provinces. This program involved the construction of concrete roads, installation of solar-powered irrigation pumps, restoration of farm ponds, provision of latrines, and diversification of income sources. Figures 1 and 2 show the locations of the project sites and a new concrete road. The road project has had a clear impact on the lives of the target beneficiaries. It contributed to increases in household income, broader income-generation opportunities, and better access to public services including health and education. This policy brief draws on the findings of a three-year research study to determine which planned project benefits have been achieved and to recommend follow-up action to improve similar programs in the future.