Kandal province had launched 601 social accountability projects as of the first half of 2023. These initiatives encourage citizen involvement in supervising the quality of health and education services, as well as the functioning of commune administrative facilities.

Last week, deputy Kandal governor Prak Sarath oversaw a meeting to discuss the province’s accomplishments in the first half of the year. The gathering comprised representatives from 13 municipal-district authorities, partner organisations, and over 300 community accountability coordinators.

In his address, Sarath detailed that the province is executing social accountability projects across 601 target units. These include 127 commune administrations, 365 primary schools, 107 health centres, and two municipal-district levels in Sa’ang and Takhmao districts.

The deputy governor acknowledged the instrumental role of organisations such as World Vision International, Sovann Phum Organisation, Advocacy and Policy Institute, and Family Health International 360. He commended their assistance in both the supply and needs aspects of Kandal’s social accountability strategic plan.

Sarath pointed out that the I-SAF Social Accountability Implementation Project is a programme spearheaded by the Royal Government of Cambodia. The National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development (NCDD) operates it with state ministries and institutions as its members.

“Support for the project and budget utilisation is received from all units, from the national to the commune level,” he added.

Also speaking at the meeting was Nim Niradeth, director of provincial planning and investment. He reported that in the first six months of the year, the Kandal administration and all 127 communes established a joint action committee on social accountability. The province also recruited 508 ‘Community Accountability Facilitators’ (CAFs) with the assistance of partner organisations.

Lam Socheat, director of the Advocacy and Policy Institute (API), extolled the social accountability project. He highlighted how the scheme enhances citizen participation in supervising the delivery of public services, leading to better provision of these services to the public.

Additionally, Socheat said the project allows the public to pinpoint areas of concern and provide valuable feedback. This helps to annually improve the education and health services, and other administrative services in response to the needs of the public, especially the vulnerable population.

The API director stressed that the project makes people aware of their rights and encourages their participation in evaluating public services.

“The most crucial outcome is people receiving improved services from communes, schools, and health centres. This initiative aims to address deficiencies such as the lack of toilets, books, regular teachers in schools, and consistent doctors at health centres. As a result, the changes fill all the negative points that people need all the time,” Socheat added.