MOSALVY - DAC WORKSHOP
on "Accommodation Needs of Orphaned and Abandoned Children with Disabilities" in Cambodia

August 13-14, 2001, Institute of Public Health, Phnom Penh
Opening Remarks by Mr. Ouk Sisovann, Executive Director, DAC

Excellencies
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the Disability Action Council (DAC), it is a great honor to be part of this important forum for reviewing, discussing and looking at possible and realistic ways which can promote/ improve accommodation needs of orphaned and abandoned children with disabilities in Cambodia, today.

Cambodia is acknowledged as one of the countries that has the highest per capita of disability in the world. Children with disabilities and their families, generally face even greater difficulties with the added barriers of discrimination, lack of understanding of disability issues, and lack of capacity within the country to adequately meet rehabilitation, education and accommodation needs. In these circumstances, along with the poverty of daily life, many families feel unable to cope and often neglect, abandon or relinquish their disabled child.

The Ministry of Social Affairs, Labor, Vocational Training and Youth Rehabilitation (MOSALVY) is responsible for the welfare of children with disabilities through the General Directorate of Social Affairs, the Department of Children's Welfare and the Department of Rehabilitation. The MOSALVY has placed a focus on community-based living and rehabilitation for children with disabilities while recognising that small specialised centres are needed for short-term transitional care and for the long-term care of children with multiple disabilities.

The Disability Action Council (DAC) is the national coordinating 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 coordinate through participatory practices the services necessary for PWDs to enjoy equal rights and opportunities and quality of life as others in the community".

Based on previous research studies undertaken by MOSALVY/DAC and framework of DAC, the draft National Strategy for Accommodation Needs of Children with Disabilities in Cambodia has been initiated and developed in consultation with interested key players including representatives from MOSALVY, IOs/NGOs and individuals.

The Draft National Strategy reflects the Constitution of the Royal Government of Cambodia and International Treaties including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), United Nations Resolution on Standard Rules on Full Participation and Equalisation of Opportunities for PWDs and the ESCAP Agenda for Action for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002.

Based on the above documents, the following guiding principles have been considered:

• Children with disabilities have the same rights and needs as other children;
• Like all children, children with disabilities are individuals and therefore have a wide range of individual needs, regardless of the type of their disability;
• Children's options are listened to and they are involved in decisions that effect them according to their age and ability;
• The home and community in general, provide the base for the accommodation and care of children with disabilities therefore, where feasible, accommodation and care of children with disabilities should remain in the community either within their own homes otherwise in foster homes or in group homes;
• Appropriate consideration (services) must be given to the special needs for children with multiple disabilities through small specialised centres;
• Supportive community services are necessary to assist children and their families to remain living in the community;
• Monitoring systems must be established to ensure the well-being of children with disabilities;
• Appropriate training of parents and carers is necessary to ensure well-being of the child and their families;
• Strategies to ensure the sustainability of supportive services are necessary;
• Coordination and collaboration between all key players i.e Government ministries, NGOs (national and international), civil society and individuals, is necessary to maximise support and for the protection of children with disabilities.

It is, therefore, essential that the Royal Government of Cambodia, interested IOs/NGOs, DAC and individuals collaborate in further developing this area. Some directions have been taken but a more concentrated effort is now needed.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to the MOSALVY and relevant stakeholders for their invaluable contribution and cooperation in the development of this area. My special thanks is given to H.E. Ith Sam Heng, the Minister of MOSALVY and Ms. Helen Pitt, DAC Advisor for their spiritual support, effort/energy and commitment toward promoting and improving the well being of children with disabilities in Cambodia. My acknowledgements is going 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 children with disabilities. 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!