Phnom Penh – On October 30, 2023, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation announced the official launch of the “Disability Identification Card” for persons with disabilities in Cambodia. The ceremony was presided over by H.E. Chea Somethy, the Minister of Social Affairs, and attended by Dr. Will Parks, UNICEF Country Director, and IGOR DRIESMANS, the EU Ambassador to Cambodia, held at the Phnom Penh Hotel.
H.E. Chea Somethy commended the collaborative efforts of UNICEF, the European Union, governors of the 25 provinces, the Department of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation, municipalities, districts, and communes for their continued support. He recognized their contribution to the Ministry’s work through the General Department of Rehabilitation and the Department of Welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), which has achieved significant milestones in implementing the identification of disability based on social norms and basic rights of persons with disabilities.
Minister Chea Somethy stressed the significance of developing a social protection system to foster equitable and inclusive economic growth for families while ensuring income security. He emphasized the Royal Government’s long-term vision to create an inclusive, efficient, and financially sustainable social protection system to reduce and prevent poverty, protect vulnerable populations, and bolster human resources development.
Since 2020, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation has been promoting the implementation of the Disability Identification Card based on social norms and basic rights using digital systems nationwide. This initiative aims to develop and manage a consistent Disability Identification Database, serving as a foundation for implementing programs and fund assistance within the social protection system.
H.E. Chea Somethy underscored that providing ID cards for people with disabilities facilitates their participation in social and economic activities while benefiting the public, private sector, civil society organizations, and other service providers. This aligns with the Royal Government’s policy to promote equity and inclusion.
As of now, 288,690 people with disabilities have been identified by commune focal points across the country, with the ministry having issued 222,148 ID cards for persons with disabilities.
H.E. Chea Somethy made several recommendations to the Ministry’s officials, including continuing to collaborate with the Ministry of Planning on integrating action plans related to disability identification based on social norms and basic rights. Additionally, he urged cooperation with relevant ministries, institutions, development partners, and organizations within the disability sector to transparently and inclusively issue disability identification cards.
Furthermore, H.E. Chea Somethy called for continued collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of National Defense to determine the criteria, type, and level of disability for persons requiring identification to access benefits and services.
Simultaneously, he emphasized the importance of encouraging ministries, institutions, and the private sector to fulfill quotas for employing people with disabilities and establishing procedures for delivering justice services, including receiving complaints and resolving requests from individuals with disabilities. The Minister also called for ongoing efforts to promote vocational training, initiatives, and job opportunities for persons with disabilities of all types.
