Over 225 individuals representing more than 30,000 older people from 25 provinces and capitals gathered at the Battambang City Hall for the third National Older People Forum on October 27, 2023. The forum, organized by HelpAge Cambodia in collaboration with Oxfam, the United Nations Development Program, and the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation, aimed to facilitate engagement between older people and the government. It focused on understanding the challenges and needs of older people in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a platform to learn about the progress made in implementing the National Policy for the Elderly and other support policies.

As Cambodia gradually becomes an aging society, with the number of older people aged 69 and above projected to reach 1.5 million by 2025 and double by 2050, it becomes crucial to address the challenges they face. These challenges include livelihoods, income, health, and the lack of regular caregivers, especially for elderly women.

Oxfam is committed to collaborating with HelpAge Cambodia and other institutions to support and empower older people. The joint efforts aim to amplify their voices and enable them to access decent employment opportunities and comprehensive social care and protection. This support is particularly crucial during times of income insecurity, illnesses, shocks, and emergencies.

Mr. Vira Tum, Executive Director of HelpAge Cambodia, acknowledged the value Cambodia places on older people and their knowledge. Efforts have been made to support them through policies and social assistance programs, but there are still gaps that need to be addressed. Additional support programs and the promotion of inter-generational associations should be prioritized. Feedback from older people will guide future programs through the Cambodian National Committee for the Elderly.

During a previous gathering in Battambang province in October 2022, representatives from nearly 30,000 older people and stakeholders discussed topics such as “Social Protection and Association of the Elderly in Cambodia” and “Social Pension for the Elderly in Cambodia.” The forum highlighted three priority needs: social pensions for all older people, equity cards for all older people, and budget allocation to support local older people’s associations. While there have been no specific responses from the government regarding these requests, a dissemination workshop conducted by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation in August 2023 shared action plans, the National Policy on the Elderly Phase 2 for 2021-2025, and various legal instruments. This included the establishment of a working group association to develop the Elderly Policy and a decision to establish a technical working group to develop guidelines for the establishment of the Intergenerational Elderly Association.

These studies shed light on the financial challenges and socio-economic circumstances faced by older people in Cambodia, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive social protection measures to address their vulnerabilities and ensure their well-being. The collaboration between organizations like HelpAge Cambodia, Oxfam, and the Cambodian government plays a crucial role in advocating for and implementing policies that support and protect older people, enabling them to lead dignified lives as valued members of society.