INTRODUCTION

The recent history of Cambodia has left a legacy of high numbers of disabled persons of all ages and conditions. A Socio-Economic survey conducted in 1997 indicated that people with disabilities form 2.2 percent of the population. This figure is very low compared to data from developed countries that show that 15 percent or more of their populations have disabilities. The discrepancy can be explained at least partially by confusion in terms used to define disability and by the lack of trained workers to gather disability data. 

People with disabilities are among the most disadvantaged groups in Cambodian society. Many, especially women with disabilities, experience discrimination and have poor access to education, training and employment opportunities thus reducing their participation in activities within the family, community and society. The loss of economic productivity to the nation is also a major factor to consider in relation to people with disabilities. As either the head of the household or as a family member people with disabilities have the potential to contribute to the economic development of the family and ultimately to Cambodia. Therefore opportunities must be available for people with disabilities to be involved in income generating activities. 

The Cambodian government works under enormous constraints and is seriously under-resourced for the effective development of programmes and/or services for people with disabilities. The Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour and Vocational Training, and Youth Rehabilitation (MOSALVY) has been assigned to undertake the main responsibility for disability and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, it is a poorly supported and financed ministry lacking major resources to address critical issues in the disability and rehabilitation sector, especially in a country which has experienced over 30 years of war and economic chaos. Therefore, more attention and support, particularly from the government is needed for MOSALVY to undertake its mandate.

It is the obligation of the individual, family, community, private sector, government, NGOs, and international organizations to further consider and develop policy guidelines to enable people with disabilities, including mine victims, to fulfill their potential and lead a life free from discrimination

KEY ISSUES

• Legislation on Disability
  Cambodia has no legislation on disability although a draft legislation has been prepared. This draft legislation has been designed taking into consideration practical approaches to deal with most of the numerous problems facing people with disabilities in Cambodia. It is a basic tool for the promotion and development of measures to enable individual(s) and organization(s) to strengthen management capabilities to develop and initiate activities on disability prevention and social problem solving. The law should also contribute to developing a policy framework and guidelines for inclusion and integration of people with disabilities into mainstream development of programmes (including education, vocational training, and employment) while recognising some specialised services are still needed for specific categories of disabilities. 
  
  The draft law aims to ensure the protection of the rights of all people with disabilities and prohibition of abuse and neglect of these persons and discrimination against them. Therefore, the government should take the lead role and responsibility in amending the draft law as well as the enactment initiation.
  
  

• Gaps in Services
  There is crucial need for key players to consider collaborative action in developing policies, guidelines, and long term investment plans to avoid overlapping and to fill the gaps in services. Factors to consider include the following:

  • The geographical coverage of programmes, activities, and services: lack of services and programmes in remote areas where most people with disabilities including land mine victims live;

  • The types of services provided in relation to categories of disabilities: the needs of some types of people with disabilities have not been met;

  • Lack of qualitative data on the situation of people with disabilities;

  • Lack of technical and financial resources to provide adequate services;

  • Lack of long term investment plan for the Disability and Rehabilitation sector; and

  • Lack of jobs and income generation opportunities for vulnerable groups.

A fundamental issue arising from analysing gaps in services has been the limited representation by people with disabilities including women with disabilities to take their place and role in society. So, the implications of a social model of disability for policies, laws, programmes, and services are significant and wide-ranging. Thus, attention should be paid, to the social disadvantage of people with disabilities and to alleviation of their disadvantages and ensuring equality and human rights.

• How to Fill the Gaps in Services
  National coordination and collaboration: Disability Action Council
  Critical measures are needed to avoid over- lapping of services, to maximize resources and ensure that quality services are systematically planned, implemented and monitored to meet the various needs of people with disabilities. Currently, the disability and rehabilitation sector has in place the Disability Action Council (DAC), which is the only national coordinating body. The DAC plays a key role in coordinating, facilitating, negotiating, and net working between individuals, organisations, and institutions working for the well being of people with disabilities. These factors play a major role in the formulation of the National Cambodian Plan of Action for the Disability and Rehabilitation Sector currently being developed with the input of both government and NGOs.
  
  Inclusive Strategies
  It is essential that both government and donor organisations examine their policies, programmes, and services to ensure that people with disabilities have access to services in the same way as non-disabled people. Therefore, opportunities need to be created to ensure existing services are accessible to people with disabilities. Each must examine what is currently being done and what additional activities could be under- taken to ensure that people with disabilities benefit from programmes and services. 
  
  

• The primary task of Government
  The lack of financial resources and working structure/behaviors are major obstacles for tackling social problems in Cambodia. The main reasons generally cited are lack of national resources, problems in allocation and access, and transparency.
  
  A high percentage of revenues are channeled into security and the defense rather than the social sector (for fiscal year 2000, almost half of the national budget goes towards the security and defense sector - almost twice as much as the health, education, environment, social affairs and women affairs sectors combined). Moreover it is often difficult to access allocated budget.

RECOMMENDATIONS

To address these key issues, and improve the situation of people with disabilities in Cambodia we recommend that donors and the Royal Government of Cambodia:

• Strongly commit and take concrete steps to increase the budget for long term investment in the social sectors, particularly MOSALVY.
  
  

• Actively involve joint discussions and close collaboration regarding a demobilization plan, with the NGOs and donor community sharing roles and responsibilities as well as resources for the programme implementation including a comprehensive reintegration plan and access to social services.
  
  

• Promote administrative reform and good governance to facilitate efficient and effective government institutions.
  
  

• Enact legislation on the rights of people with disabilities to be widely disseminated and effectively enforced.
  
  

• Systematically and effectively develop stronger strategies in order to raise awareness and advocacy among policy makers, the general public, and people with disabilities themselves.
  
  

• Integrate people with disabilities into the mainstream of social and economic development including health care, education, physical/mental rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation, and economic development, as part of the ongoing development of the Cambodian Plan of Action.
  
  

• Continue to allocate resources for capacity building of government ministries, especially MOSALVY.