Exploring Strategies that Build Livelihood Resilience: a Case from Cambodia

Author : Melissa J. Marschke, Fikret Berkes
Category : Academic Papers
Format : PDF
Geographic Focus : Cambodia
Published : 2006 Download

Livelihoods in Cambodian fishing communities are complex and dynamic. Fluctuations in resource abundance, seasonal cycles of resource use, and changes in access create conditions that bring challenges for rural households, as do economic and policy drivers. Nonetheless, people are continuously “doing something” in response to these stresses and shocks. This paper sets out to explore how households and community members attempt to mitigate against such challenges. The analysis of livelihood stresses and shocks in two Cambodian fishing villages shows that diversification is a commonly used strategy for coping and adapting.