National Workshop on Victim Assistance, held in Phnom Penh, from 05 to 06 September 2001.

Welcome remark by Mr. Ouk Sisovann, Executive Director of DAC

Excellencies
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the Disability Action Council (DAC), it is a great honour to be part of this important forum for reviewing, discussing the current situation of victim assistance and looking at possible ways which can promote/improve services to meet the needs of landmine victims and other persons with disabilities in Cambodia, today.

Cambodia's recent history of war and international isolation, the breakdown of basic services and destruction of national infrastructure, the presence of millions of landmines, the lack of basic health care and food security, and the absolute poverty of the majority of its citizens, all contribute to the fact that Cambodia is a country with a high number of disabled persons and landmine victims. It is estimated that one person in 235 is missing a limb. In addition, there are an equally significant number of citizens with hearing or sight impairment (35% of total disabilities). The vast majority of these disabilities are the results of prolong war and explosions of landmines or UXO, the legacy of years of political strife.

Demining is, of course, a task of utmost importance to support the development and reduce human suffering. But for many Cambodian people, demining comes too late--they have already lost their lives or their limbs. We cannot bring back at least 13,000 people or more who died from mine injuries between 1979-1997 and others have suffered and made their lives very difficult until now. However, many efforts are being made to reach and help those who have sustained injuries, for example the 30,000 to 40,000 amputees and people with many other types of disabilities in this country whose lives were changed forever when they took one step to many.

The Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour, Vocational Training and Youth Rehabilitation (MOSALVY) is the government body charged with overall responsibility for the disabled in Cambodia. The Cambodian Government is a signatory to the ESCAP "Proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region", which sets out a range of targets to strive for during the decade from 1993 to 2002. MOSALVY endeavours to follow these guidelines as closely as possible in its development of policy and programs.

The Cambodian Mine Action Authority (CMAA) has been given the mandate by the Government of Cambodia to take all the co-ordination, regulation and control responsibilities of mine action activities in Cambodia. Under its framework, CMAA delegates the co-ordination responsibilities of victim assistance to MOSALVY and DAC.

The Disability Action Council (DAC) is the national co-ordinating semi-autonomous body made up of representatives of the Royal Government of Cambodia, NGOs and individuals committed to working for the well being of people with disabilities in Cambodia. Its mission is "to initiate, secure and co-ordinate through participatory practices the services necessary for people with disabilities to enjoy equal rights and opportunities and quality of life as others in the community".

May I emphasise that we, who are working for/with disabled people in Cambodia, do not make a distinction between landmine victims and those with other disabilities. Those disabled by mines are neither more nor less deserving of assistance than other disabled people are, although they are some of the most visible. There are at least as many people disabled by polio and other injuries in Cambodia, as there are amputees due to landmines, to give but one example. Disabled people including mine victims will be helped most by strengthening the provision of services to the disabled in general.

Under the joint efforts between the Government of Cambodia, DAC, NGOs community and donor agencies, many services/programs have been developed and implemented to meet the needs of landmine victims and other disabled persons. In addition, Strategic Directions for the Disability and Rehabilitation Sector has also been developed and updated which would serve as useful document for the sector. The Strategic Directions reflects the United Nations Resolution on Standard Rules on Full Participation and Equalisation of Opportunities for persons with disabilities and the ESCAP Agenda for Action for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002.

I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that today workshop on victim assistance is an attempt to share information on existing victim assistance services/programs, gaps in services and recommendations among key players, to promote and strengthen integrated approach for the development/updating the Strategic Plan on Victim Assistance for improving the rehabilitation services for landmine victims and disabled persons in Cambodia. In addition, one of the expected outputs is to prepare an appropriate Cambodian delegation to participate in the first Regional Workshop on Victim Assistance, to be held from November 6-8, 2001, Thailand. This important event is a result of efforts between the Government of Cambodia represented by CMAA and MOSALVY, HI-B and DAC and of course the financial support provided by HI-F through HI-B here in Cambodia. Without such support and co-operation, it would be impossible to make this workshop happened.

Therefore, allow me to express my deep gratitude to the CMAA, MOSALVY, HI-F, HI-B and other organisations for their invaluable contribution and support in the organisation of this forum. My special thanks is given to H.E. Sam Sotha, Secretary General of CMAA and Ms. Isabelle Plumat, HI-B Country Director for their spiritual support, advice and commitment toward promoting and improving the well being of landmine victims and disabled persons in Cambodia. My sincere acknowledgements are given to the USAID/Leahy War Victim Fund for providing financial support to the DAC enabling us to be part of this workshop. Last but not least, my appreciation to the workshop organising members, facilitators and DAC staff, for their hard working, collaboration to make this workshop possible.

On behalf of the DAC, I would strongly express that the DAC will continue to support all efforts and will closely co-operate with ministries and other relevant parties in order to reach the goals of enhancing the well being of landmine victims and disabled persons in Cambodia. May I wish the workshop a very fruitful and great success.

Finally, I would like to wish Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen with 5 Buddhist Blessing, Longevity, Dignity, Healthy, Prosperity, and Happiness.

Thanks for your attention!