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(19).  Rights and Care of Older People 

The NPRS does not refer to “older people,” “old people,” or “”the aged.” It only refers to the “elderly” two times in the main body of the text. In Section 3.1.5. (Vulnerability) under Food Security, the NPRS includes the elderly along with “other vulnerable groups (e.g. expectant and nursing women, children under five, and the elderly).” In Section 3.4. (Gender Disparities), the NPRS refers to women who face a “triple burden of labour outside the house, cooking and other household duties, and care of children, the elderly and the sick.” In this sense, the elderly are referred to as a burden. 

The Annex 3 Matrix refers to the elderly two times. In Section 5.2.1. under Social Protection (5), the NPRS refers to the strategic objective “Provide support for the elderly.” The actionable measure refers to “increasing communities based activities to provide support for elderly people. Activities are to be implemented in 18 provinces and municipalities, though there are no specific details.. A budget of $5 Million is indicated. Timeline 2003-2005. 

The second reference is found in Section 5.2.2. under Social Safety Net. The first strategic objective calls for “Introduce basic social safety net for the poor, orphans, disabled, and elderly...” The actionable measure refers to “Review and pilot employment guarantee scheme paying a minimum wage as basic safety net.” The review is to be finalized in 2003. There is no discussion anywhere concerning the situation of older people in terms of poverty, and no discussion about how such a measure might actually relate to older people. 

NGO Action: 

• Monitor the RGC’s progress to “provide support for the elderly,” including the allocation and disbursement of the $5 Million;
• Monitor the RCG’s progress to “Review and pilot employment guarantee scheme paying a minimum wage as basic safety net, ” which is to be finalized in 2003. (see Annex 3, Matrix, Section 5.2.2. under Social Safety Net, mentioned above).
• Continue to raise the situation and of and concerns for older people in the context of the APRI process. (Note: Like other vulnerable groups, (see section on disabled), the situation and needs of older people in Cambodia appear to be neglected in terms of national policy as outlined in the NPRS.)

Note:     This is a concern as older people make up a sizable number of the population, including those among the rural poor. National planners may assume that traditional family structures for caring for older people are more or less still in place. However, such structures are crumbling in the wake of rural poverty and urban migration, increasing landlessness, and the breakup of families as a result of financial stress, domestic violence, and HIV/AIDS.

The NGO CG Statement does suggest though, that there has been some government attention in this area. It refers to a National Forum on Older People in September 2001 facilitated by MOSALVY in collaboration with HelpAge. This seems to be a good start that provides NGOs with an entry point for continual advocacy on behalf of older people in Cambodia. The advocacy points and recommendations outlined in the NGO CG Statement remain valid. In light of the fact that such scant reference is made to older people in the NPRS, certainly advocacy and awareness efforts require continued effort.

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