Sanitation in challenging environments (SCE) project: mobilising sector engagement and innovation in Cambodia

A challenging environment is considered to be anywhere conventional sanitation solutions are not appropriate due to difficult geographical and/or geological conditions. In Cambodia, 4.14 million people (WSP, 2011) (~27% of Cambodia’s population) live in areas affected by flooding, high groundwater, floating, riverbank or coastal conditions impacting their ability to access appropriate and improved sanitation solutions at all times. Engineers Without Borders Australia, in collaboration with partner organisations in Cambodia, in 2014 initiated the Sanitation in Challenging Environments (SCE) Project to mobilise sector actors, build capacity of implementing partners and drive innovation to contribute to WASH sector program effectiveness to achieve sanitation access in these areas. This paper shares the activities undertaken so far and key learnings.