20 Communities in Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary Receive Clean Water Wells and Distribution Systems

PHNOM PENH, September 11, 2026 -- Twenty communities within the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary have received clean water wells and distribution systems through the support of the REDD+ Keo Seima Project. According to the project, as of September 10, natural water sources such as streams and ponds have been drying up during the dry season, causing difficulties for community members in obtaining water for consumption, especially in remote villages. Mouch Pheng, a community member from Pukhes village, stated, "Before we had clean water wells, I used muddy water or river water. During the dry season, I did not have enough water for consumption and had to travel far to fetch it for daily use, and sometimes I had to wait a long time to get enough water to fetch." Proch Samol, a community member from Pungol village, said, "I am very happy to have clean water wells to use because I spend less time getting clean water and have more time to do other tasks, such as farming." With the installation of solar-powered pump wells and clean water distribution systems, community members in the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary are no longer concerned about water usage as before. The wells and clean water systems supported by the project are providing sufficient water for each community. In addition to clean water support, communities under the REDD+ Keo Seima Project have received numerous other benefits, including road repairs, installation of solar street lights, distribution of school supplies to students, provision of after-school English classes, high school scholarships, cattle for breeding, and financial and material support for community forest patrols, which is the main objective of the REDD+ Keo Seima Project. Source: AKP Khmer