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NGO STATEMENT TO THE 2001 CONSULTATIVE GROUP 
MEETING ON CAMBODIA

DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
 

CONTENTS

 


Introduction
Progress
Key Issues
Recommendations

Introduction

The two-decade protracted armed conflict, poor health status, lack of infrastructure, etc. have left a large and still growing number of people with disabilities in Cambodia. People with disabilities are among the most vulnerable groups who are more likely to have poor health as well as poor living and working conditions. The disability and rehabilitation sector is concerned about the strong links between poverty and disability. Disability reinforces poverty. It is recognized that "Poverty is a deprivation of essential assets and opportunities to which every human is entitled. Every one should have access to basic education and primary health care services. Poor households should have the right to sustain themselves by their labor and be reasonably rewarded, as well as have some protection from external shocks. Beyond income and basic services, individuals and societies are also poor- and then tend to remain so- if they are not empowered to participate in making decisions that shape their lives". 

Exclusion and marginalisation of people with disabilities reduce their opportunities to contribute productively to the household and the community, and thus increase the risk of poverty. Disability as such causes substantial direct cost as well as indirect cost as result of restricted participation in economic and social activities. It is observed that the needs and rights of people with disabilities in Cambodia have been appropriately recognized. 

Progress 

The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has recognized that the links between poverty reduction strategy, planning and budgetary processes, and co-ordination and aid management should be strengthened, so that resources should be directed to the priority areas and implementation capacity constraints addressed. The national budget for the year 2000 contained steps to improve resources for the social sector. Reportedly, the education budget increased by 39%, the rural development budget had doubled, the agriculture budget increased by 11%, and the health budget increased by 51%.

The working progress of legislation on disability has been promoted and supported by the leadership of Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour, Vocational Training and Youth Rehabilitation (MOSALVY). A Working Group has been established to review and revise the draft with inputs and comments from a Cambodian legal expert from the Council of Ministers and senior staff of MOSALVY.
Access and quality of basic education with human resource development have been improved. Investment in basic education has been increased to provide to the necessary foundation for technical and vocational skill training and tertiary education. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has issued a PRAKAS to establish a Special Education Bureau for girls', ethnic minorities and children with disabilities within the Primary and Pre-School Department.

The RGC established a new institution called Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA). Recognizing the existing activities of the Disability Action Council (DAC) as well as to secure the maximum benefit and sustainability of service to land mine victims, CMAA officially agreed to delegate its coordinating authority on victim assistance to the DAC. 

Key Issues

Although certain progress has been achieved, there are still many issues to be addressed:

  • Inadequate opportunities

The current level of poverty largely results from inadequate opportunities, particularly in agriculture and other rural activities where the majority of people with disabilities are living. People with disabilities lack access to education leaving them with the lack of marketable skills and the inability to participate in modern production techniques and to obtain access to credit. Rural people, including people with disabilities, have less access to social services such as health, education and safe water. In addition, the knowledge of their rights as the well as protection of their rights and information is also requires further promotion.

  • Large number of people with disabilities

The 1997 Socio Economic Survey found that 2.2 % of total population are disabled. However, the figure is up to 15% as reported by UN and Disabled Persons, 1999, Bangkok. Land mines are the main challenge that hamper access by the poor to agriculture lands and create vulnerability for people living in rural areas. Cambodia has one of the highest number of amputees in the world with one amputee per 384 people, with Afghanistan's one per 631. In addition the increasing number of road accidents is resulting in a greater number of becoming disabled.

  • Gaps in Services

Assistance for people with disabilities including mine victims is mainly provided by NGOs. It is clear, however, that current programs reach only a proportion of those needing assistance, leaving significant needs unmet. Overall coordination of assistance in this sector is still limited despite government and NGOs attempt to promote the work of DAC as a National Coordination mechanism.

Deaf, blind and mental health systems are in their infancy and inadequately lacking focus and manpower as well as funding. In addition thousands of disabled persons including the visually and hearing impaired have no access to services. Further disability public awareness campaigns are needed to increase recognition and full participation of people with disability in all socio-economic activities.

Recommendations

The RGC, donor countries and agencies should take these issues into account when designing antipoverty strategies and intervention. 

  • Donors should insist that the needs of people with disabilities are considered as an integral part of all government planning and not seen as a separate issue.
  • Additional and longer term funding should be devoted to this sector so that comprehensive planning for the development of services and programs can be created and implemented by government and NGOs in collaboration and cooperation.
  • Efforts are needed to ensure the full integration of people with disabilities. This will require addressing the lack of access to education, skills training, land, and credit that seems to be acute within communities. So, mainstreaming of people with disabilities into the existing programs and services means that their natural place as an integral part of society is recognized. 
  • Demobilization should be accelerated as part of the effort to restructure public expenditures toward investments in social sector.
  • Strongly promote cooperation among implementation agencies to reduce the waste of resources and the duplication of efforts.
  • Support adequate salaries and training for government staff so that they can provide professional services for people with disabilities.
For more information on the issues raised in this paper please contact: 
The Disability Action Council, Tel: 023 215 341, Email: dac@bigpond.com.kh
Introduction
Progress
Key NGO priorities
Conclusion
Strategic Planning for Poverty Reduction
Sectoral Papers
Agriculture
Child's Rights
Commune Administration and Decentralization
Commune Elections
Disability and Rehabilitation
Education
Fisheries
Forestry
Gender
Governance and Transparency
Health
HIV/AIDS
Human Rights
Landmines and & UXOs
Land Reform
Mental Health
Micro-finance
Urban Poor
Weapons Reduction and Management
General NGO Information
References

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