Hagar Partners with A21 to Provide Foster Care for Child Victims of Human Trafficking in Cambodia

May 22, 2024 – Hagar has just signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to extend our partnership with A21 in Cambodia.

Hagar Cambodia Country Director, Sam Sreyna, with A21 representative

Hagar’s partnership with A21 began in Cambodia in May 2022. A21 is a global anti-trafficking organization with programmes in 14 countries. Hagar and A21’s partnership in Cambodia works to provide foster care for trafficked children in the country. Hagar’s frontline team helps A21 identify, assess, and train community-based foster families to care for trafficked, enslaved, and abused children.

In Cambodia, 50% of A21’s caseload of minors are trafficked by their own family members.

Through Hagar and A21’s partnership, more young survivors will be empowered to thrive and flourish as they receive care in community and family-based environments. 

Representatives from Hagar, A21 and Cambodia’s Ministry of Social Affairs sign a community Foster Care agreement to provide care for child survivors of human trafficking.

Twenty years ago, Hagar pioneered community-based foster care in Cambodia. The program, launched in 2004, supported the social reintegration of trafficked women and girls from Hagar’s residential shelters. In 2007, Hagar and World Vision Cambodia published “The Road Home“, survivor-informed research to develop a model of reintegration and alternative care for children trafficked for sexual exploitation in the country.

Today, Hagar’s foster care program has expanded to a community-based model of care. Children who have been trafficked and exploited by their own loved ones receive professional care and support in the warmth and safety of a family that has been vetted by Hagar.

Learn more about Hagar’s whole journey programs or about our work in Cambodia.