Phnom Penh: The Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, H.E Chea Somethy, underlined the need for a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach to support the elderly, emphasizing the involvement of all stakeholders in finding comprehensive solutions.

The Minister made these remarks while presiding over the National Day for Older Persons 2023, alongside his wife, Her Excellency Chea Phalkun Chea Somethy. The event took place on Monday morning, October 2, 2023, at the Ministry of Social Affairs.

H.E. Minister Chea Somethy highlighted that, as of 2019, Cambodia had a population of over 1.3 million elderly individuals, which accounted for 8.9% of the total population of more than 15 million. He expressed concern over the living conditions and access to care for elderly individuals residing in remote rural areas.

He noted, “Elderly women often bear the responsibility of caring for their grandchildren, as their parents may have migrated for work, experienced divorce, or passed away.”

To address these challenges, the Royal Government of Cambodia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation and the Cambodian National Committee for the Elderly, is actively working to strengthen and expand elderly associations at the commune level. They are also promoting community-based programs for elderly development and family-based elderly care initiatives, including training caregivers for the elderly.

The Minister reported that by 2023, the Ministry of Social Affairs had established 1,646 elderly associations across the entire country. Furthermore, they recently partnered with HelpAge Cambodia and the United Nations Development Program to create new model of elderly associations (inter-generational and multifunctional) in nine capitals and provinces, including Phnom Penh, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Tbong Khmum, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchey, Preah Vihear, and Battambang.