U.S. Department of Labor Partners with Humanity & Inclusion to Support People with Disabilities in Cambodia

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of International Labor Affairs to strengthen the capacity of organizations of persons with disabilities and other key stakeholders in Cambodia to address labor exploitation and barriers to decent work. The project will target 70 Cambodian organizations, potentially reaching up to 30,000 people with disabilities.  

The award will support HI and partners — the Cambodian Disabled People's Organization and the International Labor Organization — in enhancing labor rights for Cambodians with disabilities. The Bridging Barriers and Unlocking Potential (B-UP) project will improve access to employment opportunities, protect the rights of people with disabilities, promote adequate income generation, and ensure social protection. 

B-UP will help address and support the unique needs of individuals with various types of disabilities, with a particular focus on those who face more significant exclusion, such as children, women, and people with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities. 

"At Humanity & Inclusion, we believe every individual deserves access to dignified employment and the opportunity to thrive,” says Hannah Guedenet, U.S. Executive Director of Humanity & Inclusion. "This investment from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of International Labor Affairs will help strengthen organizations run by and for people with disabilities in Cambodia. We look forward to working alongside our partners to dismantle obstacles that limit economic empowerment for valuable members of the workforce often left out or left behind. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable future where the rights of people with disabilities are fully recognized and upheld." 

B-UP will begin on December 31 and run through June 30, 2029. 

“HI is thrilled to start a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor to support people with disabilities in Cambodia,” adds Rajib Dakua, HI’s country manager for Cambodia. “From HI’s 30 years of experience working in Cambodia, we know that people with disabilities are among the most excluded, particularly from safe and dignified work opportunities. We look forward to working with our local partners to support those in need, tackle labor exploitation, and break down barriers to decent work.”