Overview

Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity (CASC) is a NGO registered in the US State of Alaska but is active in Cambodia. CASC’s objective to provide complete care for the survivors of acid burns, encompassing primary medical care through to legal reform and occupational rehabilitation. CASC is the only organization in Cambodia dedicating its services exclusively to the survivors of acid burn. These victims are mostly women and increasingly, children. Subsequently the victims of acid violence in Cambodia are some of the most marginalized people in Cambodia with little opportunity for return to a normal life.

Background

As of December 2009, since its establishment in March 2006 CASC has provided a total of 131 acid burn survivors with 721 medical consultations and 189 operations free of charge (In conjunction with the Children’s Surgical Center). CASC physiotherapists have performed 230 consultations and 3,257 physiotherapy treatment sessions, administering 66 pressure garments and 44 splints. Since its inception CASC has hosted and facilitated Acid Burn Survivors Support Group (ABSSG) meetings every month. The ABSSG meetings have been very successful in creating a social community center for survivors. Though the ABSSG meeting survivors can receive counseling, follow-up medical treatment, training programs, receive educational support, and express their interest in other CASC programs. Over the years CASC has also introduced a number of income generating social reintegration project with the aim of providing survivors with gainful employment and a sustainable income. BABS (Bags by Acid Burn Survivors) is an income generating project was introduced in 2007 and still operational today. With this project acid burn survivors receive training in crochet techniques and produce a range of products on site. In 2009 the BABS project expended its distribution network securing several local distribution outlets such as the “Friends n Stuff” shop in Phnom Penh, and even international distribution through “Cambodian House” in Sydney Australia. The agricultural Pilot program consists of various lectures and workshops during ABSSG meetings that provide agricultural skills and methodology training to acid burn survivors. This program has been popular with survivors because they are also provided with opportunities to apply the skills and teaching of these lectures in a practical way. The agricultural program is expected to continue to grow, as support from survivors continues to increase. Acid Burn Hotline service was established in order to provide both advice and assistance to the people of Cambodia in the event of an acid burn. The hotline receives not only emergency calls, but also calls of inquiry into the services that CASC provides and the treatment that they require as often acid burn survivors do not always receive the correct treatment in other hospitals. CASC also maintain an ambulance service that functions twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The ambulance is equipped with oxygen and other medical supplies that can be dispatched in accordance with individual patients needs.

Value

N/A

Mission

It is the mission of CASC to support and empower acid victims, providing them with the necessary medical, physiotherapy, counseling, education, skills training and work placements, and legal advocacy to regain their independence and reintegrate back into society. It is also CASC’s mission to create a greater public awareness of acid related issues in Cambodia and help facilitate social and legal reform in relation to this phenomenon. All CASC services are provided free of charge.

Vision

The vision of CASC is to provide immediate primary health care for victims of acid violence and acid burns, psychosocial support, and ultimately social and economic reintegration back into society. CASC works in consultation with partner agencies such as LICADHO and other legal services providers to support acid violence victim’s pursuit of justice and to achieve social and legal reform. CASC aims to facilitate the appropriate amendments to make acid attacks a criminal offense, as it is not adequately addressed in Cambodian law.

Goal

N/A