PHNOM PENH: According to the latest report from the Secretary General of the Disability Action Council, there are currently 872,520 persons with disabilities recorded in Cambodia, a number that increased as the country emerged from war and in the process of clearing landmines.

The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, and Secretary-General of the Disability Action Council, Em Chan Makara, has stated that the number of persons with disabilities in Cambodia is equivalent to more than 5% of the total population. He explained that there are a number of factors that have increased the number of persons with disabilities in the country, such as traffic accidents, disability from illness, congenital diseases, unexploded ordnance and old age.

"I would like to inform you on the statistical research of the Ministry of Planning: confirmed in 2022, [the Ministry] will start conducting a corrected questionnaire to collect the actual rate [of persons with disabilities] in the Kingdom of Cambodia," said Secretary of State Em Chan Makara.

"Previously, [the questionnaire] only took account of those who are blind, crippled, deaf or hard of hearing, but [the new] questionnaire prepared by the National Institute of Statistics of the Ministry of Planning does not only take into account of the aforementioned demographics, it follows international standards, especially those established by the Washington Group."

Secretary of State Em Chan Makara added that there are more than 46,000 students with disabilities who are currently studying, and 9,587 persons with disabilities who hold jobs in ministries as well as both public and private institutions. This includes 3,748 who work in government institutions, equal to 2.01% of the population.

He continued that persons with disabilities in Cambodia have received support in all areas, including in the establishment of laws and infrastructure, and regarding protection and employment. He also encouraged persons with disabilities to learn certain skills to facilitate their livelihood.

"I would like to take this opportunity to call on persons with disabilities to read the announcements made by enterprises so that they can seek opportunities for employment and apply for work in the private or public sector," he said.