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Synopsis: The Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation has awarded certificates of accreditation to 10 NGOs and associations for operating childcare centres that meet national care standards.
The Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY) on Monday presented certificates of accreditation to 13 childcare centres run by non-governmental organisations for meeting national care standards.
The certificates were handed over at a ceremomy presided over by Theng Chhavirith, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Social Services.
The event was attended by the Child Protection Department Director and representatives of the provincial departments, NGOs and their childcare centres.
The event aimed to recognise childcare centres that meet the government’s minimum standards for alternative care for children.
Chhavirith advised the NGOs to ensure effective and efficient service delivery, prioritise the interests and well-being of their young charges, and adhere to the laws and government policies for child protection.
He urged the centres to adhere to minimum standards for institutional care and to actively prevent, report, and respond to cases of abuse.
Chhavirith said institutional care should be a temporary or last resort.
He urged organisations without project agreements to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the ministry as a first step toward gaining government recognition.
Toch Channy, spokesman for MoSVY, said that making recognition certificates mandatory for childcare centres enhances the quality and effectiveness of childcare centre management and protects the interests of the children. A government sub-decree specifies that any centre without certification from the ministry is considered non-compliant with legal standards and regulations.
There are 175 childcare centres in Cambodia, including 21 state-run and 154 NGOs.
Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation Minister Chea Somethy recently praised the strong collaboration between the ministry and NGOs, which has helped thousands of victims and vulnerable people across Cambodia.
The Ministry has signed project agreements with 173 groups and NGOs so far, 76 of them local and 97 foreign organisations. These initiatives have helped 45,954 families and over 2.2 million vulnerable people.
Somethy thanked the associations and NGOs for their ongoing collaboration in line with the ministry’s strategic plan.
He added that children, the elderly, the disabled, low-income families, and other vulnerable citizens have benefitted from these initiatives.
