Phnom Penh: During the opening ceremony of a charity football match aimed at raising funds to support the deaf community, H.E Em Chan Makara, Secretary of State and Secretary General of the Disability Action Council, representing His Excellency Chea Somethy, Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation, emphasized the importance of continued attention to the welfare of people with disabilities in Cambodia.

H.E Em Chan Makara highlighted the Royal Government’s commitment to the well-being and empowerment of people with disabilities. He noted the formulation of the National Disability Strategic Plan 2019-2023, designed to ensure the active participation of individuals with disabilities in various social activities, including culture, art, religion, sports, recreation, and more.

Moreover, he underscored the government’s past efforts, which included providing policy funds to support 19,874 individuals with disabilities in various communities. These initiatives encompassed 12,638 recipients receiving 12 months of funding and 7,236 receiving 6 months of funding across 25 capital and provinces (equivalent to 60 districts).

H.E Em Chan Makara called on all stakeholders to continue prioritizing the welfare of people with disabilities by transforming the National Disability Strategic Plan and related legal documents into concrete actions and outcomes.

Expressing his satisfaction with the charity football event organized by Cambodian stars to aid the deaf community, H.E Em Chan Makara emphasized that such initiatives exemplify the spirit of friendship and solidarity among the Cambodian people. He also highlighted the importance of promoting the rights to participation without discrimination and showcasing the abilities and potential of individuals with disabilities, in line with national and international laws.