Who We Are
Chab Dai, which means “joining hands” in Khmer, is a Cambodian-led and globally engaged non-profit organization committed to ending modern slavery, exploitation, and abuse. Our vision is a world where communities live in dignity, harmony, and freedom. Our mission is to combat all forms of abuse globally by empowering communities, strengthening systems, and supporting justice and wellbeing with survivors.
Chab Dai, which means “joining hands” in Khmer, is a Cambodian-led and globally engaged non-profit organization committed to ending modern slavery, exploitation, and abuse. Our vision is a world where communities live in dignity, harmony, and freedom. Our mission is to combat all forms of abuse globally by empowering communities, strengthening systems, and supporting justice and wellbeing with survivors.
Human trafficking in Cambodia and the region is complex, shaped by social inequality, gender disparities, poverty, unsafe migration pathways, and economic vulnerability. No single organization can address these challenges alone. Chab Dai believes that lasting change is only possible through collaboration. By combining the strengths, expertise, and resources of multiple actors, we can create a coordinated, human rights-based response.
The Coalition Approach: Joining Hands
In 2005, Chab Dai formed the Coalition with 12 member organizations in response to a fragmented anti-trafficking landscape in Cambodia. Today, the Coalition includes over 50 organizations, ranging from small NGOs to larger institutions. It brings together civil society, survivor leaders, government agencies, faith networks, and private sector partners to strengthen the collective response to trafficking and exploitation.
In 2005, Chab Dai formed the Coalition with 12 member organizations in response to a fragmented anti-trafficking landscape in Cambodia. Today, the Coalition includes over 50 organizations, ranging from small NGOs to larger institutions. It brings together civil society, survivor leaders, government agencies, faith networks, and private sector partners to strengthen the collective response to trafficking and exploitation.
Through shared knowledge, joint advocacy, and coordinated action, the Coalition helps align efforts and aims to improve access to support for survivors and communities. By working together, members amplify their individual impact and contribute to a stronger, unified response.
How It Works in Practice
The Coalition works with a wide range of stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, enhance learning exchanges, and improve collective decision-making. Members share expertise and coordinate mapping exercises to optimize resources and reduce duplication, ensuring services reach those most in need. As part of this coordinated approach, Chab Dai prioritizes referring trafficking and abuse cases to member organizations based on their expertise and the specific needs of individuals and communities. Chab Dai provides direct case support only in geographically remote areas where Coalition members are not present.
The Coalition works with a wide range of stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, enhance learning exchanges, and improve collective decision-making. Members share expertise and coordinate mapping exercises to optimize resources and reduce duplication, ensuring services reach those most in need. As part of this coordinated approach, Chab Dai prioritizes referring trafficking and abuse cases to member organizations based on their expertise and the specific needs of individuals and communities. Chab Dai provides direct case support only in geographically remote areas where Coalition members are not present.
Examples of Coalition initiatives include:
- Child and Youth Protection Working Groups: Formed with member organizations, these groups give children and youth a voice in their communities, enabling dialogue with local leaders and authorities to raise awareness of trafficking risks and strengthen protective measures.
- Disability Inclusion: In partnership with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), the Coalition works to improve inclusion in anti-trafficking policies in Cambodia.
- Civil Compensation Consultation: In partnership with the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT), the Coalition convened 141 participants from 48 CSOs, government ministries, and survivor representatives to develop joint recommendations for improving civil compensation mechanisms in Cambodia.
Child & Youth Working Group plan their campaign
Impact of the Coalition Approach
Chab Dai’s coalition model has led to measurable improvements in policy and practice. Examples from 2024–2025 include:
Chab Dai’s coalition model has led to measurable improvements in policy and practice. Examples from 2024–2025 include:
- Participant Engagement: 955 participants attended Coalition events in 2024, strengthening skills, networks, and knowledge sharing.
- Co-Case Management: In 2025, 19 women and girls trafficked to China for forced marriage were safely returned to Cambodia and supported through coordinated services.
- Community Heroes Training: 32 local leaders were trained in 2025 to lead protection efforts in border communities.
- Shelter Monitoring: Coalition collaboration with the Department of Victim Protection improved monitoring of shelters across five provinces, ensuring facilities now meet minimum care standards for trafficking victims.
These outcomes demonstrate that improved protections, prevention, and survivor support are possible because of a coalition approach where collaboration, shared learning, and coordination across diverse stakeholders drive tangible change.
Looking Ahead: The Power of Collaboration
The anti-trafficking landscape continues to evolve. New challenges from funding constraints to emerging forms of exploitation require adaptive, collaborative responses. The Coalition is expanding its network, engaging a wider range of stakeholders, and strengthening its focus on shared, measurable goals across protection, prevention, and advocacy.
The anti-trafficking landscape continues to evolve. New challenges from funding constraints to emerging forms of exploitation require adaptive, collaborative responses. The Coalition is expanding its network, engaging a wider range of stakeholders, and strengthening its focus on shared, measurable goals across protection, prevention, and advocacy.
Chab Dai Coalition and partners come together to discuss civil actions
Get Involved
Ending human trafficking requires many hands. While membership of the Coalition is reserved for Cambodian-registered organizations, Chab Dai works with partners throughout the region and beyond. We are always interested in collaborating with organizations and individuals to strengthen collective efforts, share knowledge, and support survivors.
Ending human trafficking requires many hands. While membership of the Coalition is reserved for Cambodian-registered organizations, Chab Dai works with partners throughout the region and beyond. We are always interested in collaborating with organizations and individuals to strengthen collective efforts, share knowledge, and support survivors.
To explore partnerships or learn more about our work, please contact Kneath Heard, Chab Dai Partnerships and Development Director, at kneath.heard@chabdai.org.
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