Cambodia
Casualties and Victim Assistance
Casualties
Casualties in 2009
Casualties in 2009 |
244 (2008: 269) |
Casualties by outcome |
47 killed; 197 injured (2008: 47 people killed; 222 injured) |
Casualties by device type |
74 antipersonnel mines; 36 antivehicle mines; 1 unknown mine; 10 unexploded submunitions; 113 ERW; 10 IEDs |
In 2009, the Cambodia Mine/UXO Victim Information System (CMVIS) recorded 244 mine/explosive remnants of war (ERW)/cluster munition remnant casualties. Of the total, 87% (211) of casualties were civilians, 11% (28) were military personnel, and 2% (five) were deminers. Children (77) made up 36% of civilian casualties; 65 were boys and 12 girls. Of the total adult civilian casualties (167), 89% (148) were men, and 11% (19) were women. Three casualties in 2009 were Thai nationals (one civilian and two military).[1] The 244 casualties in 2009 represented a 9% decrease from the 269 mine/ERW casualties CMVIS recorded for 2008, and followed a trend in declining annual casualties from 2006. The majority of child casualties continued to occur as a result of ERW incidents.[2]
As of the end of 2009, CMVIS reporting indicated that that there were at least 63,529 mine/ERW casualties in Cambodia: 19,505 killed and 44,024 injured since 1979.[3]
For the period 1998 to the end of 2009, 155 cluster munition remnant casualties were reported in Cambodia.[4]
Victim Assistance
The total number of mine/ERW survivors in Cambodia is thought to be approximately 44,000.
Survivor needs
No systematic needs assessments for mine/ERW survivors were reported in 2009. Disability statistics were not reliable and needed to be improved for better service provision.[5] CMVIS provided ongoing systematic data collection of mine/ERW casualties, including numbers of survivors. Some casualties were also referred by CMVIS data gatherers directly to victim assistance service providers.[6]
Victim assistance coordination[7]
Government coordinating body/ focal point |
MoSVY/DAC, as delegated by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) |
Coordinating mechanism |
NDCC |
Plan |
National Plan of Action for Persons with Disabilities, including Landmine/ERW Survivors 2009–2011, adopted in August 2009 |
The Steering Committee for Landmine Victim Assistance met four or five times in 2009.[8] In April 2009 it began a transformation into the National Disability Coordination Committee (NDCC), under the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY) and the Disability Action Council (DAC), with a broader coordination role for the disability sector.[9] Members met regularly before approval for the NDCC was granted in August 2009.[10] However, the first official meeting of the NDCC was not held until the first quarter of 2010.[11] At the end of 2009, Cambodia reported that national victim assistance coordination was limited due to the lack of human and financial resources.[12] In November 2009, Cambodia listed cooperation among government, donors, civil society, and disabled peoples’ organizations (DPOs) as a remaining challenge and emphasized the need for constructive partnerships among all actors in victim assistance.[13]
As a result of a subdecree of national disability legislation drafted in 2009, DAC lost its relatively independent status as a national council and become a state body directly under the MoSVY. In its new structure, DAC was to be comprised of three parts; a Council, including government, DPOs, and NGOs; a General Secretariat; and member NGOs.[14] As of the end of 2009, it remained to be seen how the new policy-making mechanism would recognize the input of people with disabilities in the decision-making process.
The National Plan of Action for Persons with Disabilities including Landmine/ERW Survivors 2009–2011 (National Action Plan) was adopted by the Prime Minister of the government of Cambodia in August 2009.[15] There was little or no progress reported against the National Action Plan for 2009 and stakeholders were still being informed about it.[16] Non-governmental stakeholders expressed concerns that the plan was unspecific and in some cases unrealistic due to the limited capacity of the MoSVY to implement its responsibilities.[17]
In late 2009, disability issues were included in a draft update of the National Strategic Development Plan for 2009–2013.[18]
Cambodia provided updates on progress and challenges for victim assistance in 2009 at the Second Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty in November–December 2009 and the meeting of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration in June 2010. Cambodia provided updates on physical rehabilitation and medical services provided in 2009 through Form J of its Article 7 transparency report, but information on community-based rehabilitation services was repeated from the previous year’s report.[19]
Survivor inclusion
Representative organizations of survivors and persons with disabilities were included in coordination and planning activities through the Steering Committee on Landmine Victim Assistance and now through DAC. Survivors were included in implementation of services by NGOs.
Service accessibility and effectiveness
Victim assistance activities in 2009[20]
Organization |
Type |
Activities |
Changes in 2009 |
Association for Aid and Relief Vocational Training for the Disabled |
National NGO |
Vocational training |
No change |
Association for Aid and Relief Wheelchair for Development |
National NGO |
Distribution of wheelchairs |
No change |
Cambodian Development Mission for Disability |
National NGO |
Comprehensive community-based rehabilitation |
Increased the number of beneficiaries receiving community-based rehabilitation and referrals |
Cambodian War Amputees Rehabilitation Society (CWARS) |
National NGO |
Economic inclusion |
Finished two of five vocational training center projects |
Capacity Building of People with Disabilities in Community Organisations |
National NGO |
Referrals, awareness, and educational support |
Unknown |
Cambodian Disabled People’s Organization (CDPO) |
National DPO |
National coordination, mainstreaming disability into development, advocacy, and workshops for various relevant ministries |
Extended its geographical area of support to partner organizations |
CMVIS |
National organization |
Services other than data collection included providing emergency food aid, house repair, funeral costs, and disability awareness-raising
|
No change |
Jesuit Service Cambodia |
National NGO |
Economic inclusion, rehabilitation, peer support, awareness, and material support and referral |
No change |
National Center for Disabled Persons |
National NGO |
Referral, education, awareness, and self-help groups |
No change |
Opération Enfants du Cambodge (OEC) |
National NGO |
Home-based physical rehabilitation, education, and economic inclusion and emergency support to new mine survivors |
Increased beneficiaries |
Cambodia Trust |
International NGO |
Physical rehabilitation, training, and economic inclusion |
Funding shortages restricted program operations |
Australian Red Cross (ARC) |
National society |
Support to partners including the Cambodian Red Cross, and Landmine Survivors Assistance Fund (small grants) |
No change |
Disability Development Services Pursat |
National NGO |
Self-help groups, economic inclusion, referral, and community-based rehabilitation |
New cow/buffaloes and rice banks introduced for the sustainability of the self-help groups; expanded to three additional villages |
Economic and Social Relaunch of Northwest Provinces in Cambodia |
National NGO |
Agriculture training |
No change |
Handicap International-Belgium (HI-B) |
International NGO |
Physical rehabilitation, support to partner organizations, and capacity-building for DPOs |
Created a national disability service mapping project |
Handicap International-France (HI-F) |
International NGO |
Physical rehabilitation and a sustainable income-generating activities project |
No change |
Veterans International (VI)
|
International NGO |
Physical rehabilitation, self-help, and economic inclusion |
Beneficiaries surveyed reported significant improvements in use of rehabilitation devices, pain management, socialization, and self-esteem; no improvements in economic inclusion |
World Vision Cambodia |
International NGO |
Self-help groups |
No change |
Cambodian Red Cross |
National society |
Micro-finance loans and material aid |
No change |
ICRC |
International organization |
Physical rehabilitation |
Slight increase in prostheses produced for mine survivors |
No significant improvements in the quantity of victim assistance services were reported for 2009. This was particularly apparent in emergency medical care, where the emergency medical services system required renovation and response activities were inefficient.[21] Cambodia stated that many survivors were still not able to meet basic needs for shelter, food, health, physical rehabilitation, vocational training, job opportunities, and education. The government’s budget remained limited.[22]
No change was reported in the overall accessibility and availability of physical rehabilitation and prosthetics. As in previous years, there were 11 physical rehabilitation centers and orthopedic workshops covering 24 provinces. However, the number of lower and upper limb prostheses for mine/ERW survivors provided in 2009 increased by 15%, from 3,612 in 2008 to 4,151 in 2009, and repairs to prostheses for survivors increased significantly, from 3,011 in 2008 to 8,198 in 2009.[23] During 2009, slower than planned progress was reported in transferring rehabilitation management capability and responsibility to national ownership under the MoSVY by 2011. This was due mainly to a lack of funding at the MoSVY.[24] The financial difficulties were reportedly compounded by the global financial crisis and the MoSVY appealed to the representative NGOs to continue their support to the sector. No information was provided on how sustainability of the physical rehabilitation sector would be ensured.[25]
Limited psychological support services continued to be offered through the Ministry of Health’s mental health units or referral hospitals, but these did not function well. Psychosocial support activities expanded through the community-based rehabilitation network and the development of self-help groups.[26] The number of self-help groups, most supported by NGOs, grew in 2009.[27] In 2009, VI started to facilitate the formation of federations among self-help groups so they could better advocate for access to development initiatives in their communities.[28]
There were no reports of significant improvement in availability of economic inclusion services other than those provided by NGOs.[29] Cambodia did not update its Article 7 reporting for 2008 in which it had stated that many economic inclusion projects had been postponed or ended due to the lack of funding.[30] Two CWARS vocational training centers closed (in Kampong Thom and Pursat) after CWARS deemed they had completed training for the project’s target beneficiaries in those areas. CWARS, in collaboration with the government, continued to operate three other centers.[31] No significant changes were reported for other vocational training centers for persons with disabilities and the number of mine/ERW survivors in mainstream vocational training institutions remained very small.[32] However, HI-F and OEC continued their 2008–2010 economic inclusion project through which peer training, apprenticeships, and community-based trainings were organized as an alternative to vocational training centers. Mine/ERW survivors and family members of survivors made up 70% of beneficiaries, of which 49% were women. [33]
In 2009, DAC, with the MosSVY’s Rehabilitation Department, visited vocational training centers for persons with disabilities to ensure the effective implementation of the Circular on Improving the Quality of Vocational Training Centers for Persons with Disabilities (2008).[34]
In May 2009, the National Assembly passed the Law on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, prohibiting discrimination, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment of persons with disabilities.[35] The law did not adequately address comprehensive employment and economic inclusion needs for people with disabilities, but did specify a quota system.[36] By the end of 2009, guidelines for the law’s implementation were not yet in place and the MoSVY was drafting subdecrees to support the law.[37] Throughout 2009, people with disabilities continued to lack equal access to education, training, and employment and were not fully included in their communities.[38]
The 2009 law requires that buildings and government services be accessible to persons with disabilities.[39] However, in 2009 inaccessibility to public buildings, transport, facilities, and referral systems prevented persons with disabilities from actively participating in social and economic activities in Cambodia.[40]
Cambodia signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 1 October 2007 but had not yet ratified it as of 1 August 2010.
[1] Casualty data provided by email from Nguon Monoketya, CMVIS Database Supervisor, CMAA, 15 June 2010. The Cambodian Red Cross handed over the management of CMVIS to the CMAA in early 2010.
[2] Casualty data 1979–May 2009 provided by Cheng Lo, Data Management Officer, CMVIS, 19 June 2009. CMAC, “Integrated Work Plan 2009,” Phnom Penh, 20 February 2009, p. 44. ERW caused 74% of child casualties (including unexploded submunitions).
[3] See Landmine Monitor Report 2009, p. 245; and casualty data provided by email from Nguon Monoketya, CMAA, 15 June 2010. However various reporting sources have differed. It was reported in Landmine Monitor Report 2008, p. 216 that as of 31 December 2007 the CMVIS database contained records on 66,070 mine/ERW casualties in Cambodia: 19,402 killed and 46,668 injured. See also, Kingdom of Cambodia, “National Plan of Action for Persons with Disabilities, including Landmine/ERW Survivors 2009–2011,” Phnom Penh, February 2009, p. 9, which reports 63,217 casualties between 1979 and August 2008.
[4] For the period 1998 to early 2007, 127 cluster munition remnant casualties were identified; 11 in 2007; seven in 2008; and 10 in 2009. Prior to 2006 cluster munitions remnants incidents were not differentiated from other ERW incidents in data. See Circle of Impact: The Fatal Footprint of Cluster Munitions on People and Communities (Handicap International: Brussels, May 2007), pp. 23, 26; and CMVIS data provided by Cheng Lo, Data Management Officer, CMVIS, Phnom Penh, 17 June 2008 and 19 June 2009.
[5] Statement of Cambodia, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 22 June 2010.
[6] Analysis of CMVIS monthly reports for calendar year 2009.
[7] Statement of Cambodia, Second Review Conference, Cartagena, 30 November 2009; and statement of Cambodia, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 22 June 2010. The initial timeframe for the plan, which was also presented at the Ninth Meeting of States Parties in November 2008, was 2008–2011. Kingdom of Cambodia, “National Plan of Action for Persons with Disabilities, including Landmine/ERW Survivors 2008−2011,” November 2008.
[8] Interview with Thong Vinal, Executive Director, DAC, in Geneva, 23 June 2010.
[9] NDCC, Terms of Reference, distributed at the Steering Committee for Landmine Victim Assistance meeting, MoSVY, Phnom Penh, 10 April 2009.
[10] Email from Teresa Carney, Programme Coordinator, ARC, 3 July 2009; email from Ket Chanto, Education Program Manager, World Vision Cambodia, Phnom Penh, 14 July 2009; interview with Ngin Saorath, Executive Director, CDPO, Phnom Penh, 7 April 2010; email from Ngin Saorath, CDPO, 13 July 2009; and email from Sheree Bailey, Victim Assistance Specialist, Implementation Support Unit, Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, 6 September 2009.
[11] Statement of Cambodia, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 22 June 2010.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Statement of Cambodia, Second Review Conference, Cartagena, 30 November 2009.
[14] Vorn Samphors, Deputy Executive Director, “Disability Mainstreaming National Policy Legislation,” DAC, undated, www.delkhm.ec.europa.eu. This legislation came into effect in 2010. Interview with Thong Vinal, DAC, in Geneva, 23 June 2010.
[15] Statement of Cambodia, Second Review Conference, Cartagena, 30 November 2009.
[16] In 2010 through June, the plan was being explained to the relevant actors. Statement of Cambodia, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 22 June 2010.
[17] See Landmine Monitor Report 2009, pp. 253–254.
[18] Statement of Cambodia, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 22 June 2010; and CDPO, DAC, and HI-France, “NGO Statement on inclusion of disability in the update of the RGC National Strategic Development Plan, July 2009,” dac.org.kh.
[19] Statement of Cambodia, Second Review Conference, Cartagena, 30 November 2009; statement of Cambodia, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 22 June 2010; and Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2009), Form J.
[20] ARC, “Landmine Survivor Assistance Fund 2009,” www.redcross.org.au; ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Programme: Annual Report 2009,” Geneva, June 2010, pp. 37–38; DAC, “Newsletters,” dac.org.kh; email from Huoy Socheat, Executive Director, Association for Aid and Relief Vocational Training for the Disabled, 3 August 2010; email from Josefina McAndrew, Country Representative, VI, 2 August 2010; email from Meas Vicheth, Project Manager, Opérations Enfants du Cambodge, 4 August 2009; email from Chan Dara, Community-Based Rehabilitation Coordinator, Cambodian Development Mission for Disability, 9 August 2010; Handicap International, “Where we work: Cambodia,” www.handicap-international.org.uk; and ICRC, “Cambodia: ICRC action continues after 30 years of presence,” 11 December 2009, www.icrc.org.
[21] Side By Side International, “Emergency Medical Service (EMS) System for Kingdom of Cambodia,” undated, www.side-by-side-intl.org.
[22] Statement of Cambodia, Second Review Conference, Cartagena, 30 November 2009.
[23] Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2009), Form J.
[24] ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Programme: Annual Report 2009,” Geneva, June 2010, p. 37. See Landmine Monitor Report 2008, p. 223.
[25] Interview with Thong Vinal, DAC, in Geneva, 23 June 2010.
[26] Kingdom of Cambodia, “National Plan of Action for Persons with Disabilities, including Landmine/ERW Survivors 2009–2011,” Phnom Penh, February 2009, p. 22; and see Landmine Monitor Report 2008, p. 220.
[27] See Landmine Monitor Report 2009, p. 265.
[28] Email from Josefina McAndrew, VI, 2 August 2010.
[29] Co-Chairs of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration (Cambodia and New Zealand), “Status of Victim Assistance in the Context of the AP Mine Ban Convention in the 26 Relevant States Parties 2005–2008,” Geneva, 28 November 2008, pp. 10–11; and email from Elke Hottentot, Victim Assistance Technical Advisor, HI-F, 29 October 2010.
[30] Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2008), Form J.
[31] CWARS, “Completed projects,” www.cwars.org; and CWARS, “Current projects,” www.cwars.org.
[32] Email from Denise Coghlan, Jesuit Service Cambodia, 21 May 2010.
[33]Email from Elke Hottentot, Victim Assistance Technical Advisor, HI-F, 29 October 2010.
[34] DAC, “Annual Report 2009,” p. 10.
[35] United States Department of State, “2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Cambodia,” Washington, DC, 11 March 2010.
[36] Interview with Thong Vinal, DAC, in Geneva, 23 June 2010.
[37] US Department of State, “2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Cambodia,” Washington, DC, 11 March 2010.
[38] International Labour Organization/Irish Aid, “Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Cambodia, Fact Sheet,” October 2009, www.ilo.org.
[39] US Department of State, “2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Cambodia,” Washington, DC, 11 March 2010.
[40] Statement of Cambodia, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 22 June 2010.
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