Chab Dai Joint Boards Statement: Emergency Appeal
USAID Funding Freeze Threatens Critical Services for Survivors
On January 20, shortly after taking the oath of office, President Trump signed an Executive Order to reevaluate and realign U.S. foreign aid. This was followed by a “stop work order,” freezing all USAID funding for 90 days with immediate effect.
Chab Dai’s boards and staff are deeply concerned about the impact of this decision on our vital work with survivors of trafficking and at-risk communities. We are also aware of the significant impact this loss of funding will have on our Chab Dai Coalition partners and civil society organizations more broadly.
Why This Matters
USAID is a significant donor to Chab Dai’s Protection Program, which provides essential services, including trauma-informed care, counseling, livelihood support, general education, reintegration and repatriation, and legal assistance for survivors who have experienced severe harm. The funding freeze is already disrupting these services and putting at risk the jobs of staff dedicated to delivering them. It also threatens initiatives that promote survivor leadership, such as the Survivor Care Forum, Learning Group, and Leadership Empowerment, which enable survivors to connect, share experiences, and lead advocacy efforts. Without immediate support, these vital programs face an uncertain future.
The Immediate Impact
In the immediate term, the freeze will result in the loss of vital support for 31 survivors of human trafficking. In addition, 9 highly skilled Cambodian staff members - who have dedicated their expertise to supporting survivors - are at risk of losing their jobs.
Our Commitment & Call to Action
For 20 years, Chab Dai has worked to end human trafficking and support more than 2,500 survivors in Cambodia and beyond. Our commitment remains steadfast, but the sudden loss of funding poses an unprecedented challenge.
Chab Dai International and Chab Dai UK, our two boards, stand united in our vision of a world where communities live in dignity, harmony, and freedom, free from modern slavery and exploitation. We are committed to doing everything possible to sustain our programs and retain our dedicated team. However, we cannot do this alone. There is no certainty that USAID funding will resume after the 90-day freeze, and without immediate financial support, this vital work cannot continue.
How You Can Help
Donate Today (here) to ensure survivors continue receiving life-changing support
Share our impact and raise awareness
Learn more about our work
Join Hands in Solidarity
Every contribution makes a difference. Together, we stand in solidarity with survivors to continue the fight against human trafficking. Join hands with us today.