DAC Sub-Degree 59
DAC Prakas 561
Message of Secretariat of Disability Action Council
Dear Excellencies, Donors and Colleagues
Across Cambodia, more than 1.4 % people live with disability. We understand that this figure will
be on the rise due to traffic accidents, malnutrition, diseases and others disorders including
mental health etc. In addition, we realize that persons with disabilities have less opportunity to
access education, employment, health and political participation. In order to achieve the Cambodian
Millennium Development Goals and National Strategic Development Plan, line ministries,
international development partners, and other concerned stakeholders have to jointly empower
persons with disabilities and remove the barriers and discrimination whichprevent them participating
in getting employment, health, education, and receiving services and having their voices heard both at grassroots and national levels.
Taking this great opportunity, I am pleased to present to you the quarterly newsletter of Disability Action Council. This will provide the evidence of good progress on disability issues in relation with developing national policies, establishing key national mechanisms, and providing national coordination and advisory to Excellencies, donors and the public. Creating understanding and the environment for all, to remove all barriers,increase services provision, and jointly enforce the effective implementation of the existing national policies and legal frameworks nationwide.In addition, I would inform you the Disability Action Council and its mandate has been updated and stipulated in the Law on the Protection and the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in July 2009, and recognized by the sub-decree on Organization and Functioning of DAC, on June 21, 2010 as a national coordination and advisory mechanism on disability and rehabilitation issues. It is also an important umbrella organization of representatives from more than 50 NGOs who are working within disability sector and it uses its position to enlighten by exchanging experiences, good practices, and to strengthen continuous collaboration.
Furthermore, DAC has restructured the management system pertaining to personnel and responsible units division in order to achieve its obligations and the coordination provision with increasingly more effectiveness, transparency, quality, equity, and professionalism. In the last years, there has been some staff turnover, especially Executive Director and technical advisors. Simultaneously, the new qualified Executive Director and staff as well as expatriate, technical advisors were recruited and they contribute to the professional works with great responsibility and recognition among line ministries, stakeholders, and donors in particular.
I am sure this message and newsletter will give the greatest information and resources on disability issues, and I hopefully believe Line Ministries, International Development Partners, Members, and other related stakeholders understand our issues concerning the restructure and authentic mandate. We are also very pleased to express our gratitude for your committed collaboration and funding to ensure persons with disabilities are brought to national dialogue.
Sincerely yours,
