Saving Lives
Changing Lives

Cambodia has achieved sustained economic growth over the past two decades. Despite substantial progress, socio-economic and gender inequalities persist, hampering access to a nutritious diet. Food security and nutrition face challenges caused by shocks, a rapidly changing food environment and inefficiencies in the food system.

Undernutrition is widespread, and 32 percent of children under 5 years of age are stunted, while 10 percent suffer from wasting. This is due to a combination of factors: the food children are eating is not enough food and it does not contain the nutrients they need to grow and develop. Dietary deficiencies in zinc, iodine and B-vitamins also widely affect women of reproductive age and children.

Undernutrition is estimated to cost Cambodia approximately 1.7 percent of its annual GDP and is a major contributor to mortality and decreased health and productivity. In addition, overweight and obesity are increasing – 18 percent of women of reproductive age are overweight or obese (mostly older women), while 14 percent are underweight (mostly younger women).

Seventy-nine percent of the Cambodian population lives in rural areas and they are on the front-line of a changing climate. Floods and droughts frequently threaten the food system and will increase in frequency and intensity in the future. Cambodia is currently ranked the eighth most vulnerable country to natural disasters, so supporting communities to prepare for and respond to disasters is key to ensure they can access nutritious foods year-round.

Since 1979, the World Food Programme has supported Cambodian families to meet their emergency needs and enhance the long-term food and nutrition security of vulnerable households and communities.

WFP’s work is focused on ensuring that Cambodian families have access to nutritious, safe and diverse foods, with a shift away from direct programme implementation and towards strengthening national capacities to improve food security and resilience, and effectively mitigate and respond to environmental shocks.

WFP has increasingly worked with the Government of Cambodia to strengthen capacities and systems that can be fully nationally owned. Our goal is that all Cambodians can meet their nutrition needs and the country can reach SDG2 – a world with Zero Hunger by 2030.

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What the World Food Programme is doing in Cambodia

Homegrown school feeding programme
WFP works with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and the National Social Protection Council to promote access to quality education, nutritious diets and social assistance for children at pre-primary and primary school. The school feeding programme will transition to a nationally owned home-grown school meals model that sources ingredients from local farmers, incorporates food quality and safety, encourages community ownership, and supports local economies.
Sustainable and resilient food systems
WFP works closely with the Government to support commune councils to develop and implement climate-smart plans that will help communities to become more resilient to climate shocks. Working with partners, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, WFP will leverage its experience in data management platforms to facilitate the flow of information on agriculture, markets and climate services to end users at subnational level.
Emergency preparedness and response
WFP works closely with partners to strengthen national capacities and develop tools to improve preparedness for weather extremes. WFP also provide emergency assistance and early recovery supports to vulnerable households affected by natural disasters, while contributing to develop and operationalize the national shock responsive social protection framework to enable the Government to respond to multilevel shocks in a timely and efficient way.
Digital transformation
Utilising digital solutions, such as Platforms for Real-time Information Systems (PRISM), WFP supports the development and use of information systems, tailored to the needs of government counterparts responsible for disaster management, education, food security and nutrition. WFP also contributes to building national information management capacities working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and the Ministry of Planning.
Food security, nutrition and social protection governance
WFP supports the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development and the National Social Protection Council to accelerate action towards zero hunger. This includes the formulation and execution of national strategies related to improving food security, nutrition and social protection. WFP also works with partners such as the National Institute of Statistics to enhance data collection and broaden the evidence base on food security and nutrition to enhance decision-making.
Supply chain services
WFP, the Green Trade Company and the Ministry of Commerce explore on-demand supply chain services for partners (including storage services, warehouse management, transportation, handling, and clearance). WFP also engages with humanitarian and development partners to identify supply chain gaps and strategies for filling these. WFP maintains warehouse spaces, services and transport capacities so these are ready to support any emergency response.

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In focus

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Partners and donors

Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in Cambodia is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
Cambodia ECHO Germany Japan Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)

Operations in Cambodia

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Contacts

Office

House 108, Street 63, Sangkat Boeung Raing, Khan Daun Penh
Phnom Penh
Cambodia

Phone
+855 23 210943
Fax
+855 23 218749
Email
WFP.PhnomPenh@wfp.org
For media inquiries
WFP.PhnomPenh@wfp.org
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