Phnom Penh: H.E. Em Chan Makara, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation, and the Head of Disability Affairs within the ministry, stressed the importance of paying attention to individuals with disabilities, particularly those who perform at traffic lights, and emphasized the need to implement policies aimed at supporting economically disadvantaged people with disabilities in the community. He also called for an update on the number of civil servants and employees working in various ministries, public institutions, and private organizations.
H.E. Em Chan Makara conveyed these directives during a meeting with officials responsible for disability affairs and related departments on the morning of September 29, 2023, at the Ministry of Social Affairs. The purpose of the meeting was to clarify the roles and responsibilities related to strengthening the protection of persons with disabilities in Cambodia.
During the meeting, H.E. Secretary of State Em Chan Makara instructed the relevant professionals to establish a working group tasked with monitoring the activities of the disability sector, particularly paying attention to feedback and comments on social media platforms such as Facebook and the official websites of prominent figures like Samdech Techo and Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet. Simultaneously, H.E. Em Chan Makara requested cooperation in preparing a 90-day report from the Disability Action Council, the Department of Disability Welfare, and the Disability Rights Administration.
Furthermore, H.E. Secretary of State Em Chan Makara emphasized the need to enhance social assistance programs for individuals with disabilities within the community, ensuring transparency and considering the best interests of those with disabilities. Additionally, when it comes to the disbursement of donations or fines related to the implementation of sub-degrees pertaining to the employment of individuals with disabilities in both public and private institutions, these matters must be reported to the leadership, particularly the Minister.
Regarding the availability of wheelchairs and other equipment to aid individuals with disabilities, H.E. Secretary of State Em Chan Makara acknowledged the shortage of necessary supplies and urged experts to carefully evaluate and address these issues.