Overview

Veterans International Cambodia (VIC) is a non-profit international NGO. VIC began its programs in Cambodia in late 1991 to provide rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities (PWDs). From July 2014, VIC became a local NGO registered with the Ministry of Interior. VIC is currently operating three rehabilitation centers, in conjunction with the MoSVY and Persons with Disabilities Foundation (PWDF), including Kien Khleang, Prey Veng and Kratie centers. These centers provide a full range of rehabilitation services for PWDs, especially those who are marginalized and impoverished, including prosthetics, orthotics, wheelchairs and other mobility aids production and distribution, referrals for surgeries or medical services, and physiotherapy treatment. Under the support of USAID/Cambodia, VIC is working to ensure a smooth transition of handover the three rehabilitation centers to MoSVY/PWDF by December 2018. VIC is also operating Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program in the provinces of Kandal, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Kratie and Phnom Penh.

Background

VIC’s work in Cambodia started in late 1991 with the mission to rehabilitate people living with disabilities in Cambodia and help them to lead active, fulfilling lives. In 1992, VIC, at the time a project of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF), which was part of Bobby Mueller’s Veterans for America (VFA) opened its first center, the Kien Khleang Clinic with funding from USAID’s War Victims Fund. In 1995, VIC opened a regional facility in the Prey Veng province to extend services to the disabled in the densely populated northeastern regions of Cambodia. This area is especially afflicted with birth defects such as club foot and cerebral palsy due to the use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. The third center in Kratie province was opened in August 2000, on the grounds of the provincial hospital. This center provides a range of rehabilitation services to those northern provinces initially assisted through the disbanded mobile teams. That same year, VIC created the Community Based Rehabilitation Program (CBR) with priority activities on mainstreaming and empowering PWDs to lead a higher quality lives and become equal members of their communities with equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities. In January 2009, VFA transferred the American headquarters and management of the VIC clinics to The International Center. The International Center (IC) is a Washington, DC based 501(c) 3 non-profit organization founded in 1977 to focus on issues between the United States and the developing world. Over the years the International Center has had projects in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the former Soviet Union At present, VIC operates three physical rehabilitation centers (PRCs) in conjunction with the MoSVY/PWDF located in Kien Khleang, in Kratie and in Prey Veng. VIC operates community based rehabilitation work covering Phnom Penh, Kandal, Kratie, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng provinces. VIC continues and reinforces efforts towards an improved quality of life for PWDS and their families through mobility, socialization, education, job opportunities and facilitation of self help groups/federations/ DPOs. VIC, over the years, continued to strengthen its partnerships with the Provincial Office of Health, Provincial Office of Education, Youth and Sports and Provincial Office of Social Affairs, Veterans, Youth and Rehabilitation, commune councils, provincial authorities, as VI’s end goal is for the work with PWDs to be technically and financially sustainable. Beginning in 2011, IC and VIC began a multiyear sustainability program with several parts: In 2012, VIC implemented a sliding fee model at all the three of its centers. VIC transferred the management of the three centers to MoSVY/PoSVY/PWDF in January 2013.

Value

Integrity, Humanity, Quality, Equity, Independence, Partnership

Mission

To support PWDs in Cambodia, who are victims of war and among the poorest of the poor and marginalized in society and to empower them to build better lives for themselves and their families through Community Based Rehabilitation.

Vision

To increase the capacity of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and their families to lead active, productive and fulfilling lives.

Goal

Persons with Disabilities and their families can lead a quality of life and are equal member of the community with equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities.

Staff