Summary of Cambodia Country Paper
for the International Seminar on Social Welfare in Asia and the Pacific

International Comparative Study on Disability Policy and Programs in the 21st Century in Asia and the Pacific

Tokyo: 13 - 16 November 2001

Cambodia is recognized as a country with a high number of people with disabilities - estimated at around 2 to 3% of the total population (11.4 million). The major causes include recent history of war, the breakdown of basic social services and destruction of national infrastructures, lack of basic health care, malnutrition, the absolute poverty of the majority of citizens, and the presence of millions of landmines and UXOs.

The major difficulties faced by people with disabilities include lack of integration of people with disabilities needs into the government plan and services, lack of public awareness and support, lack of legislative instruments and policy, etc.

The Government of Cambodia is a signatory to the ESCAP Decade of the Disabled Persons 1993 -2002 on "Full participation and Equality of Opportunity for people with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific." The Ministry of Social Affaires has tried to follow this mandate in its development of policy and programs towards promoting / improving the well being of people with disabilities. However, this ministry works under enormous constraints and is seriously under-resourced. Other ministries such Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education just involve to some decree in promoting services for people with disabilities such as medical and inclusive education programs.

The main activities, which are being implemented and achieved gradually include the following:

• Establishment and development of a national coordinating body-the Disability Action Council (DAC) - to bring all key players both from Government and NGOs to work together to maximize the benefits for people with disabilities.
• Legislation development is on going.
• Early intervention, pre-hospital and hospital care have not been well covered yet due to lack of resources, particularly financial and human resources.
• Physical and psychosocial rehabilitation. About 80% of people with disabilities having access to physical rehabilitation. A number of 16 rehab centers are operating through out the country. Apart from this physical intervention, counseling, peer-group and other support services are needed not only for people with disabilities, but also for their families. Little actions has been taken against this issue, so more attention is required.
• Socio-economic reintegration. Vocational Training, Job Placement and Income Generation: Government and many NGOs do not include people with disabilities needs in their activities although their focus is on the poverty. Only around 20% of people with disabilities are in a satisfactory economic situation. People with disabilities have poor education; as a result they have limited employment opportunities. Long-term food security needs to be considered. Lack of public awareness and policy / regulations and discrimination are one of the barriers preventing equal opportunity in employment.
• Deficiency in the overall education system and a lack of classrooms, teachers and materials make children of people with disabilities and children with disabilities often cannot access education because of poverty.
• Long-term commitment and continuing technical / financial support is required to promote the disability awareness among the public through the media campaigns. Ideally, community awareness be included in the national curriculum.

Government still lacks of resources to meet its responsibilities towards the needs of people with disabilities. As a result, the bulk of work is being carried by NGOs.

Lots of achievements have been produced through the joint effort between government and NGOs. However, it must be acknowledged that much work remains to be done and that there are many challenges along the path.

We have growing confidence that, with local and external assistance/cooperation, we can successfully continue to develop its capacity to effective meet the needs of people with disabilities in Cambodia.