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 Speech By H.E Ith Sam Heng, Minister of Social Affairs, Labour, Vocational Training and Youth Rehabilitation
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Respective participants,
On behalf of the leadership of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour,
Vocational Training and Youth Rehabilitation (MOSALVY) and my own behalf,
I am proud and honoured for being given opportunity to be the honourable
guest at the opening of the workshop on "Accommodation Needs of
Orphaned and Abandoned Children with Disabilities in Cambodia"
today.
The Royal Government of Cambodia has given a mandate to MOSALVY to
tackle the issues related to vulnerable people in society. Especially,
supports and services to children with disabilities and other vulnerable
groups has been provided through the Department of Children Welfare
of the General Directorate of Social Affairs and Youth Rehabilitation
in collaboration with NGOs and IOs. However, the needs of children with
disabilities are not fully met.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to take this opportunity to brief you on general situation
of children in Cambodia. Based on the National Census 1998 and other
sources of the Ministry of Planning indicate that children under the
age of 18 comprise 40% of the total population in Cambodia. At least
a quarter of primary school children has little or no schooling.
Half of the children in the country are malnourished and many suffer
childhood disease to a greater extent than what occurs in other developing
countries in the region. Lack of health care services before, during,
and after pregnancy contribute to this problem. Children are also involved
in dangerous occupations and live in hazardous circumstances that put
them at greater risk of disability. Also the incidence of domestic violence
is high in Cambodia. In addition Cambodia has one of the highest number
of landmines in the world.
All these factors contribute to increasing high number of mortality
and disability among children. Actually, official data of the Ministry
of Planning shows that number of people with disability is decreasing.
However, the outside sources recognise that Cambodia has the highest
number of people with disabilities. According to the Socio economic
surveys conducted in 1997 indicated that the number of people with disabilities
was more than 2% of the total population.
It is observed that children with disabilities and families of children
with disabilities, generally face even greater difficulties with 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 children. In the case
of Nutrition Centre alone the number of orphaned and abandoned children
with disabilities has been increased up to 50% of the total number in
the centre. It is one of the critical issues need to be carefully considered
and addressed.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, How to solve these problems effectively?
Based on the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia and following
the endorsement of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child the Royal Government of Cambodia has established the following institutions to help tackling
these problems to address the needs:
- MOSALVY is the main government institution with core responsibility
to develop policies and guidelines as well as providing basis needs
of vulnerable people and people with disabilities.
- Cambodia National Council for Children (CNCC) is the government
institution responsible for co-ordinate the advocacy, monitoring and
implementation of conventions, laws, and other regulations.
- The Disability Action Council (DAC) is a Semi autonomous body half
government and half non-government with the main responsibility to
initiate and co-ordinate all services and activities necessary for
people with disabilities to enjoy equal rights and opportunities and
quality of life as others in community.
There are 20 orphanage centres under the control of MOSALVY. There
are other child-care centres under the control and support of NGOs.
Various options and models toward community care have been explored.
The MOSALVY closely co-operates with DAC to ensure the welfare of orphaned
and abandoned children with disabilities. The Group Home is a pilot
project being implemented by DAC and YWAM to support the integration
of children with disabilities. Moreover, there are other activities,
which have been carried out to address the needs in accommodation, food,
education, and other supports for the orphaned and abandoned children
with disabilities.
However, the issues are still not yet addressed effectively and fully
due to the lack of national strategy and concrete action plan.
Therefore, the topic of our workshop "Accommodation Needs of Orphaned
and Abandoned Children with Disabilities" is essential and important.
It contributes to the development of strategic plan to address the issues
and to strengthen collaboration between government ministries, NGOs,
and IOs to ensure adequate service to address the real needs of orphaned
and abandoned children in Cambodia.
Moreover, these problems can be solved successfully and effectively
if co-operation between these 3 institutions and other institutions
such as: health, education, rural development, women and veterans, planning,
economy, etc. be further developed and strengthened. The enforcement
for implementation of strategy officially adopted by the government
from these institutions will be an important mechanism to resolve the
all the issues.
On behalf of Royal Government and MOSALVY, I would suggest to all participants
and all key players to carefully study and exchange ideas for development
of strategic plan, mechanisms, action plan, and other recommendations
to ensure that the accommodation needs of orphaned and abandoned children
with disabilities is considered and addressed.
I am fully confident that the outcomes of this two-day workshop will
be valuable contribution to the increase of attention and focus of situation
and issues of orphaned and abandoned children in Cambodia. The MOSALVY
would like to take this occasion to determine that to get the strategy
and recommendations produced by the workshop for consideration of the
government and enforce for implementation to address the long term needs.
Finally, on behalf of the Royal government and MOSALVY I would like
to officially declare the opening of the workshop and I wish the workshop
be successful with fruitful outcome.
I would like to take this opportunity to express sincere admiration
to DAC for very good co-operation with MOSALVY to tackle all difficulties.
I would also acknowledge all involved parties for participation and
contribution to initiate the organisation of this important event.
I would like to wish all of participants the five Buddhist blessings:
Long life, Dignity, Good Health, Strength and Prosperity.
Thank you for your attention!
