PHNOM PENH: Secretary of State of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, Em Chan Makara, stated that the National Strategic Plan on Disability received the attention and participation of important individuals and stakeholders to address issues that persons with disabilities encountered in the past, and those they continue to experience in the present.

Speaking yesterday at the opening ceremony of the consultation workshop to develop the National Disability Strategic Plan for 2024-2028, Sec. Em Chan Makara credited the teamwork of disability advocates at national and regional levels for the accelerated developments in the disability sector. He also noted the importance of working together to build a competitive environment towards improving the lives of persons will disabilities post-Covid-19.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is also Honorary Chairman of the Disability Action Council, the Council has been able to develop rules, policies and initiatives to improve the livelihoods of persons with disabilities, reduce the socio-economic impact of Covid-19, and promote the development of the disability sector in line with their "no one left behind” policy.

He specifically commended the Royal Government for providing money to the poor and vulnerable during the pandemic to improve their living conditions. According to a report from the National Social Assistance Fund, 704,535 poor and vulnerable households received benefits, of which 60,613 were affected by disabilities. The program distributed funds 35 times between June 25, 2020 and May 24, 2023.

Sec. Em Chan Makara requested that members of the Disability Action Council continue to cooperate in all areas in order to include the needs of persons with disabilities into the policies of ministries, institutions and regional councils so that everyone has the ability to participate fully in society without discrimination.