Cambodian Climate Hero Profile: Ms. Peou Phalla

Ms. Phalla joined Cambodia's Department of Meteorology in 2002. She quickly pursued self-learning in the field, which was actively supported by the department in 2010. “Meteorology is very important in people’s lives ... We need to know about disasters, especially climate change. For me, on behalf of Cambodia, we need to try and do something to help the people by giving them climate information”. In recognition of her pursuit of learning, Ms. Phalla was recognised at the Korea Meteorological Administration’s International Training on Weather Forecasting for Operational Meteorologists in 2015 – an honour that has never before been bestowed upon a Cambodian. Her technical advancement is crucial for Cambodia as a place with limited expertise in the area of meteorology, despite increasing recognition of the interaction between climate change and Cambodia’s everyday functioning.