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(i)
Introduction
The poverty
profile of Cambodia, based at 1999 data of the Ministry of Planning,
indicates that Cambodia is a very poor country with GDP per capita
estimated at only US$268 and with other non-income indicators of poverty
comparing poorly with those of other countries in the region. It shows
that an estimated 35.9% of the population is poor and the
poverty rate is
higher in the rural areas being up to 40%. People with disabilities are
among the poorest of the poor in Cambodia. Recent World Bank estimates
suggest they may account for as many as one in five of the world’s
poorest9 People with disabilities, especially women and
children with disabilities, are among the most vulnerable deserving
special attention because their standard of living falls far below the
poverty line and their capacity for participating in economic activities
can be limited by disability.
According to
the Asian Development Bank, disability can be expected to increase in the
future if the economic growth remains unbalanced and does not accommodate
equity, environmental factors and social concerns. Causes due to an
increase of violence and crime as well as to substance abuse, poor
environment, traffic accidents and work related injuries.
(ii)
Key Issues
A.
Disability as Cause and Consequence of Poverty
Disability is
both a cause and consequence of poverty. Eliminating poverty is unlikely
to be achieved unless the rights and needs of people with disabilities are
taken into account.
Disability
is Cause of Poverty
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Disability affects not only the individual, but also impacts on the
family and the whole community. The cost of excluding people with
disabilities from taking an active part in community life is high and has
to be borne by society, particularly those who take on the burden of care.
This exclusion often leads to losses in productivity and human potential.
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Poverty is often thought
of in purely monetary or income terms, as being above or below a
“poverty line”. However, an extended definition of poverty includes;
lack of opportunity, low capacities, low level of security and lack of
empowerment. The UNDP’s Human Development Report glossary says, “Human
poverty is more than income poverty more than a lack of what is necessary
for material well-being Human poverty is the denial of choices and
opportunity most basic to human development- to lead a long healthy,
creative life and to enjoy a decent standard of living freedom dignity,
self-esteem and respect of others.
-
Thus, disability is an
element of poverty itself. Disability interacts with low income to
restrict the ability of the people with disabilities to attain basic
adequate needs.
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Disability may push some
households that otherwise would be above an income-defined poverty line
below it. Families may be forced into poverty when the prices to be paid
for health and services are too high, when income earners lose substantial
work due to disability.
-
Disability is itself an
indicator of poverty in many dimensions and non-disability or good health
is a protector of income or wealth.
Poverty
is Cause of Disability
Role of
the Sector in Poverty Reduction
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However, this cycle can be
broken with social integration. The key is to choose those, which are the
most, cost effective. Such interventions will need multi-pectoral
co-operation for inclusion of people with disabilities into mainstream
activities while building the capacity of people with disabilities to earn
an income.
-
Mainstreaming
of people with disabilities can be a key and cost-effective element in
reducing poverty. Therefore the Disability and Rehabilitation sector plays
the most important role in promoting multi-sectoral collaboration for
mainstreaming of people with
disabilities in all activities in society. The efforts for ensuring
equalisation of opportunities includes the following elements: legislation
and policy; attitudinal changes and public awareness initiatives; access
to rehabilitation services and assistive devices; promoting barrier free
environments within the construction education, training and employment;
national co-ordination; and self-help organisations of people with
disabilities and supporting government ministries and NGOs. Effective
enforcement and implementation of these components will contribute to
addressing the needs of people with disabilities.
B.
Progress and Challenges
Progress
has been achieved since the last
meeting
-
Poverty Reduction is the
primary development objective of the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC).
RGC has declared its commitment to making a concerted and sustained
national effort to rid the scourge of poverty from Cambodia, so that all
Cambodians can reap the benefits of economic growth and participate in the
development process.
-
Investment for rural
development programmes has been increased with a focus on the critical
elements affecting the rural poor including rural roads, primary health
care, sanitation, rural water supply, education and vocational training.
community development, household farming system, rural credit, and
improved information at village level.
-
The public spending on
social sector in particular basic education and health services has been
increased. The national budget for the year 2001 contained steps to
improve for the social sector 33% of the total national budget for 2001
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The RGC is promoting and
supporting the development of the draft Cambodian Disability Law. A final
draft is being reviewed and revised based on inputs from key stakeholders
including people with disabilities and will be submitted relevant
institution for adoption.
Issues
remained to be addressed
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Rural people including people
with disabilities have less access to social services such as health,
education and safe water The sector is still institutionally weak, poorly
resourced, and lacks operational capacity. Unfortunately, government human
and financial resources are still limited thereby restricting the delivery
of basic services to the rural people.
-
Assistance for people with
disabilities, including mine victims, is mainly provided by NGOs. it is
clear, however, that current programmes reach only a proportion of those
needing assistance, leaving significant needs unmet. Overall co-ordination
of assistance in this sector is still limited despite government, NGOs,
and donor attempts to promote the work of DAC as a National Co-ordination
body.
-
A persistent feature of
national budgets is the weak relation between budget formulation and
budget execution. Additional problems with actual public expenditure
outlays include inadequate levels of funding reaching the local level and
the leakage of funds in the public expenditure management system.
-
Hearing impaired and
mental health services are in their infancy and inadequate often-lacking
focus, manpower and funding. Although there are some services for the
visually and hearing impaired and those with mental health needs it is
estimated that many thousands of people with disabilities with these
conditions have no access to services.
-
Further disability public
awareness campaigns are needed to increase recognition and mainstreaming
of people with disability in all socio-economic and cultural activities.
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Government policy should
be greatly improved mainly via prevention strategies in the early
detection of disability; education of people about the need to seek
treatment for serious illness (meningitis, septicemia etc), antenatal
care, good birthing care.
(iii)
Recommendations
In order to
address these issues the following recommendations have been identified:
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Disability and Rehabilitation should be one of the priority issues
within the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper of the RGC as well as Second
Five-year Socio-economic Development Plan (SEDP II).
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The government and donors
should consider further increases and allocation of human and financial
resources for the sector.
-
Donor countries and
institutions should check their policies on disability to ensure that
policies relating to disability are actually implemented. Where no
policies exist new ones should be formulated.
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Government, donors, and
service providers should insist that the needs of people with disabilities
are considered as an integral part of all-planning programmes and projects
and not viewed as a separate issue.
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Additional and longer term
funding should be further devoted to this sector so that comprehensive
planning for the development and implementation of services can be created
and implemented by government and NGOs in collaboration and co-operation.
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Multi-sectoral
collaboration and co-operation efforts are needed to ensure the full
integration of people with disabilities. A national coordinating body
should be further promoted and supported by governments and donors. This will
require addressing the lack of access to education, skills training, land,
and credit that seems to be acute within communities. So, mainstreaming of
people with disabilities into the existing programmes and services means
that their natural place as an integral part of society is recognized
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The passage of the draft
Cambodian Disability Law should be accelerated as part of the efforts to
strengthen and protect the rights and interests of people with
disabilities and to guarantee their full and equal participation in
activities of community as other citizens.
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