Background
Cambodia remains one of the most heavily mine-contaminated countries in the world. Between 1979 and 2023, over 65,000 casualties were reported, with more than 9,000 survivors living with amputations. These individuals, often in remote rural areas, face intersecting challenges—disability, poverty, stigma, and a lack of access to livelihoods.
To address this, PAfID launched a project to improve the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities affected by landmines and ERW. The project is grounded in a Graduation-Based Social Protection (GBSP) model that aligns with national disability, mine action, and social protection strategies. Special attention is given to marginalized groups, such as women with disabilities and rural smallholder farmers, who are often excluded from mainstream services.
What we did
PAfID implemented the GBSP project across five provinces—Pursat, Pailin, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, and Siem Reap. The initiative targeted 480 survivors and their families, offering a step-by-step support package designed to help them “graduate” from extreme poverty to sustainable livelihoods.
Key interventions included:
- Livelihood Support: Provision of startup kits, a $15/month cash stipend for 12 months, and tailored business coaching.
- Skills Training: Life skills and agricultural technical training based on participants’ chosen business plans.
- Accessibility: Distribution of assistive devices and promotion of inclusive technologies.
- Community Engagement: Mobilization of women-led disability networks and local organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) for peer support.
- Evidence & Advocacy: Baseline and endline evaluations to measure impact and inform national policies on disability and social protection.
The project introduced a pioneering, disability-inclusive GBSP model that is scalable, sustainable, and co-created with persons with disabilities. It strengthens local leadership, promotes policy influence, and is aligned with national systems like IDPoor and existing social protection frameworks.