Strengthening institutional capacity and civil society leadership to address extreme heat in Cambodia and Vietnam

Oct 30, 2026
2 min

Extreme heat poses a growing climate risk in cities, yet these urban centers in low- and middle-income countries often lack coordinated responses from government agencies and civil society. Public agencies face gaps in heat-risk data, technical capacity, and cross-departmental coordination. Civil society organizations (CSOs) and vulnerable communities often lack the resources and formal channels for heat preparedness and response. These gaps lead to fragmented, reactive responses that leave residents of informal settlements, outdoor workers, women, and other highly exposed groups particularly vulnerable.

MSC partners with local government institutions and CSOs in Cambodia and Vietnam to address these challenges. This work strengthens institutional capacity and community leadership for extreme heat adaptation. The project focuses on Phnom Penh and Hanoi and covers policy and planning, public systems and capacity, urban resilience, community engagement, and knowledge exchange.

 MSC’s work includes the following key activities:

Heat action plans (HAPs): Support city-level HAP development through government consultations, evidence reviews, and community engagement; define institutional roles and actionable measures for heat preparedness and response;

Low-cost heat sensor pilot: Test hyperlocal heat monitoring in selected residential and occupational settings in Phnom Penh; assess local heat stress and the feasibility of using sensor data to guide community-led adaptation;

Climate-responsive budgeting: Develop frameworks and guidelines that integrate heat adaptation into municipal planning, budgets, and expenditure processes; help governments identify and allocate resources for priority measures;

Capacity building and knowledge exchange: Strengthen the capacity of government officials and civil society leaders; facilitate cross-country learning and share practical approaches to heat resilience across Southeast Asia.

Through these interventions, the project will strengthen government-led heat preparedness and response, equip communities to understand and address heat risks, generate practical evidence to improve urban resilience and guide future adaptation. It will integrate heat considerations into city planning, early warning systems, and public budgets. Regional knowledge products and exchanges will also promote collaboration and shared learning across Southeast Asia.