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You're watching UNICEF Television.

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In the province of Svayriyang, Vaughan Mau is looking forward to the rainy season to

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flood his dry and dusty rice paddies.

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He and his wife Rawung look after their grandchildren, whose parents work in the capital Phnom Penh.

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For Vaughan and Rawung, water not only means a livelihood, but is the cause of some anguish.

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A little over a year ago, during a water shortage, their five-year-old daughter Chenda died

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from drinking dirty water.

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Vaughan and Rawung explain how Chenda had a high fever and diarrhoea.

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She died quickly at the district hospital overnight.

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Chenda's mother Khun did not see her before she died.

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UNICEF estimates that 16 per cent of rural Cambodians have access to adequate sanitation

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and less than 65 per cent to safe water.

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Water and sanitation has been identified as one of the major causes of the high diarrhoea

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incidence in Cambodia.

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And in particular the sanitation situation, which is very, very poor, very, very bad.

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Cambodia in fact has been classified as one of the countries in the world with the lowest

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sanitation coverage in the rural areas.

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Working with local communes to improve water sanitation is one of the cornerstones of UNICEF's

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child rights program, known as Seth Colma in Khmer.

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At the nearby Thalok Primary School, water from a UNICEF-funded well not only provides

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clean water for drinking, but also keeps latrines more hygienic.

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Schools with wells and latrines help to keep more children, particularly girls, in primary

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schools.

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Improving water and sanitation improves learning.

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As a young child, 12-year-old Rina suffered from diarrhoea and typhoid from drinking unsafe

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water at home.

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I think it's important to have clean water for good personal hygiene and good health.

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We stay free from diseases.

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Access to clean water is essential for a good quality of life.

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By improving water, sanitation and hygiene, Cambodians can reduce malnutrition from diarrhoea

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and prevent young children unnecessarily dying of waterborne diseases.

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This is Guy Deegan reporting for UNICEF Television.

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Unite for Children.