Handicap International has been working with the Cambodian people since 1982, initially to provide mine accident survivors with orthopaedic devices. Over the past 25 years, the initiatives have diversified to follow the changing needs of people with disabilities. Their total number is officially estimated around 4%of the population, but the reality corresponds to twice this figure.

Just as importantly, the Siem Reap and Takeo rehabilitation centres (PRC) have continued and diversified their activities in order to assist a growing number of persons. The 'Happy Child' project evolved from our activities in those centres. This project focuses on early detection of disability among toddlers and their referral to appropriate health structures. It also includes the training of traditional birth attendants and community health volunteers to enable them to detect any sign of disability and to act early.

In 2007, a two-part pilot project on landmines was launched. In the first part, the district police were educated about an Act that bans the collecting or stockpiling of unexploded ordnance (UXO) scrap metal, so that they, in turn, can educate their local-level counterparts and scrap metal merchants. With the other part of the project, Handicap International is helping people find an alternative source of income other than by collecting metal, and referring them to other associations that can include them in income-generating projects.

As part of the Act on Road Safety, we will also work on a national safety helmets plan. Finally, standing by a progressive and nevertheless deep reorientation of its priorities, the organisation will also contribute towards improving the rights of disabled people. One of two new projects, 'Notre village, notre voix' ('Our village, our voice') relies on community. The second one consists in supporting the CDPO (Cambodian Disabled Peoples' Organisation) on a national level.

Located in the heart of Siem Reap, the Physical Rehabilitation Centre attracts many visitors who are sensible to the physical rehabilitation services.  In December 2005, in order to facilitate and avoid any disruption of the PRC activities, and to help us to raise awareness bout disability, Handicap International opened a small Information Centre in the premises of PRC where visitors can:

• Learn about landmine and disability issues in Cambodia
• See the physical rehabilitation process
• Understand how the prostheses are made
• Get information on all Handicap International projects in Cambodi

Don’t hesitate to visit us – The visitor centre is open from Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 12.00 am and from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm

Contact:

Tel: +855 12 289 258

Email: hib.pr@hib-cambodia.org

For more details, visit http://en.handicapinternational.be/Cambodia_r259.html