Key stakeholders gained an insight into the urgent risks Cambodia’s young face as part of the first Children’s Environmental Health (CEH) assessment, with air pollution, water and food contamination, pesticides and hazardous waste flagged up.
The Ministry of Health organized a one-day workshop with support from UNICEF to present the key findings and recommendations from the CEH assessment. The assessment is the first of its kind in the country and involved more than 29 ministry departments, including the Ministries of Health, Environment, Mines and Energy, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.
The CEH assessment provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of children's environmental health in Cambodia. It highlights the major environmental health risks that children face, including exposure to air pollution, water and food contamination, toxic metals, pesticides, and hazardous waste.
“The climate crisis is a child rights crisis. Children are now more exposed than ever to intense and destructive environmental hazards that jeopardize their fundamental rights, including their right to survive and thrive,” said Will Parks, UNICEF Representative in Cambodia.
“These early shocks in life diminish children’s potential to be a future generation of leaders and contributors to their country’s economy and prosperity. The more we understand the situation, the more we can advocate and act urgently to support the most vulnerable communities.”
According to UNICEF, climate change and environmental degradation threaten children’s survival, health, education, protection, and well-being. The global rise of cancer, diabetes, neurodevelopmental disorders, and asthma have been accompanied by a surge in air pollution, e-waste, and the use of harmful chemicals in everyday products, such as plastics, food, electronics, toys, and skin creams.
UNICEF estimates that 300 million children globally live in areas where the toxicity levels of the air are six times higher than international guidelines. In Cambodia, nearly one in five deaths among children under the age of five is attributable to air pollution. The World Health Organization estimates that more than one quarter of deaths among children under five years can be prevented by addressing environmental risks.
Available data in the country highlights the need for all players, including the Government, development partners, private sector, academic institutions, and civil society to work together is essential to reduce environmental health risks, especially for children.
“The negative health impacts on children due to increasing environmental risks and climate change factors cannot be ignored. Urgent collective action and more investment is needed to tackle these issues and protect our children,” said Kol Hero, Director of the Preventive Medicine Department of the Ministry of Health.
“This assessment will be a valuable resource for all stakeholders that are committed towards building a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable environment for our children and future generations.”
The CEH assessment made some key recommendations that include strengthening policies, regulations, and their enforcement to prevent and control the exposure of pollutants and contaminants; enhancing the capacity of healthcare professionals to address environmental health issues; promoting public awareness, community engagement, and the engagement of youth on climate change and environmental issues; and conducting further research and improving monitoring and surveillance systems for environmental health.
