Analyzing Flooding Impacts on Rural Access to Hospitals and Other Critical Services in Rural Cambodia Using Geo-Spatial Information and Network Analysis
Transport connectivity in Cambodia is challenged by its geography and exposure to recurrent flooding. Flood events create severe disruptions in segments of the transport network that undermine access to health, education, and work opportunities as...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Working Paper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2020
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/889651590714479852/Analyzing-Flooding-Impacts-on-Rural-Access-to-Hospitals-and-Other-Critical-Services-in-Rural-Cambodia-Using-Geo-Spatial-Information-and-Network-Analysis http://hdl.handle.net/10986/33846 |
| Summary: | Transport connectivity in Cambodia is
challenged by its geography and exposure to recurrent
flooding. Flood events create severe disruptions in segments
of the transport network that undermine access to health,
education, and work opportunities as well as create barriers
to economic growth. Rural accessibility to emergency health
facilities and delivery of medicines and basic food supplies
is particularly critical in times of major health crises,
such as the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. This paper provides a
method to quantify the impact of flooding on hospital access
and other critical facilities, aiming to support governments
on setting up health emergency mitigation plans for rural
transport in an environment with high flood risk. The method
was piloted in three provinces in rural Cambodia, estimating
that for 37 percent of the people on those provinces, it
takes more than 60 minutes to reach an emergency health
facility. During floods, 27 percent lose all access and 18
percent experience an increase of 30 minutes in travel time.
In conclusion, this method introduces transparency and
evidence-based support for prioritization of rural transport
investment, identifies the social benefits (health and
education) of rural infrastructure investments, and supports
policy dialogue on rural development and resilience. |
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