Hagar International

Hagar Launches Community Child Protection Project in Afghanistan

Responding with Resilience: A New Chapter for Survivor Care in Afghanistan In the face of changing political realities and increasing constraints on civil society, Hagar has taken a bold and strategic step to ensure continued support for Afghan children who have experienced severe trauma. Hagar has worked in Afghanistan since 2008 supporting thousands of women and children through residential and community programs. Now, Hagar is shifting from a residential care model to

Hagar Scales Up Trauma-Informed Care in Cambodia

Phnom Penh, Cambodia — April 25, 2025 — Hagar, in collaboration with Cambodia’s National Institute of Social Affairs (NISA) proudly hosted a groundbreaking “Trauma-Informed Care” workshop in Phnom Penh. The event, generously supported by International Justice Mission (IJM), welcomed over 300 participants, including social service professionals, government representatives, and civil society partners. The workshop focused on strengthening trauma-responsive practices across Cambodia’s social service sectors. Attendees explored evidence-based approaches to compassionate care, survivor

Hagar International thrilled to announce Jules Frost as new CEO

Hagar International is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jules Frost as our new Chief Executive Officer, effective 7 April 2025. Jules Frost brings an impressive career spanning over two decades in international humanitarian and development work, NGO leadership, and public and government advisory roles. Throughout her career, Jules has held senior positions at World Vision, including Regional Team Leader for East Africa, Emergency Response and Disaster Mitigation Director, and Global Field

From Fear to Strength: Hoat’s Story

From Fear to Strength: Hoat’s Journey of Resilience For many, childhood is a time of dreams and discovery. But for Hoat, it was a daily struggle for survival. Growing up in a home filled with violence and uncertainty, she learned early on to stay quiet, to endure, to survive. Her father, diagnosed with schizophrenia, subjected Hoat and her mother to relentless physical and verbal abuse. One day, in a fit of rage,

Hagar Urges Swift Review of Anti-Trafficking Grants

Hagar’s USA Office Urges Swift Review of Anti-Trafficking and Survivor-Support Grants Following U.S. Government Foreign Funding Pause Over the last few days, Hagar received notifications from USAID and the U.S. Department of State’s TIP Office to pause all programmatic and financial activities funded by U.S. Government Agencies. This decision follows the new Administration’s Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning U.S. Foreign Aid, and immediately affects our programs in Afghanistan and Cambodia. While

Insight Myanmar Interviews Hagar

Recently, Insight Myanmar podcast interviewed Catherine Kirkendall, Executive Director of Hagar’s US office about our work in the country. Or click here to listen to full conversation about deep-rooted cycles of trauma, the whole journey of restoration, and challenging systems that perpetuate abuse.

Personal Safety Plans Help Vulnerable Students Thrive in Trauma-Informed Classrooms

Supporting Vulnerable Students: The Role of Personal Safety Plans in Trauma-Informed Classrooms, by Dr. Zoe Wyatt, was recently published in Teachers Matter. The article draws on trauma-informed work conducted with Hagar in Cambodia and the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) and examines how safety plans can help students identify safe spaces or people when they feel distressed. Dr. Wyatt, an Australian-registered Mental Health Social Worker, has over a decade of experience in

Ending Human Trafficking Podcast Interviews Hagar’s Peter Baynard-Smith

In the latest episode of Dr. Sandie Morgan’s Ending Human Trafficking podcast, Hagar’s Peter Baynard-Smith and Sandie discuss community-based care for victims of human trafficking, slavery, and abuse. Listen to the podcast

Empowering Women: Hagar Afghanistan Launches New Cooperatives

Hagar Afghanistan successfully launched three tailoring cooperatives in Kabul Province. This achievement marks a pivotal moment for the Restoring Lives Through Livelihood (RLL) project. The project aims to reducing the risk of trafficking and abuse while by empowering women through sustainable economic opportunities and holistic support systems. The new cooperatives are strategically located in different areas within Kabul Province. This ensure that a diverse group of women can benefit from this initiative.

The Road Home

The Road Home: Toward a mode of ‘reintegration’ and considerations for alternative care for children trafficked for sexual exploitation in Cambodia Published: March 2007 This research is one of the first conducted in Cambodia to develop a durable solution for care of children affected by trafficking for sexual exploitation. The research advocates for a principle-based approach to decision-making around reintegration, centred upon the best interest of the child. The Road Home