Trump’s Aid Freeze Disrupts Anti-Trafficking Efforts in Cambodia

Donald Trump‘s decision to halt U.S. foreign aid has severely impacted organizations combating human trafficking in Cambodia. Thousands of individuals, trapped in forced labor within scam call centers, are now at greater risk as funding for shelters, rescues, and rehabilitation programs dries up.

Scam Compounds Exploit Vulnerable Workers

According to U.N. estimates, hundreds of thousands of people work under coercion in scam operations across Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. Many are deceived with false job promises and later forced to participate in online fraud. These compounds, often supported by local elites, generate significant profits at the expense of trafficked individuals.

Cambodia’s Only Independent Shelter Struggles to Operate

A key shelter in Phnom Penh, run by the Catholic charity Caritas, is on the brink of closure due to the funding cut. This facility is the only non-governmental shelter that assists both Cambodian and foreign scam compound survivors. Two sources familiar with the situation confirmed that victims have already been turned away. Fearing retaliation from the Trump administration, they chose to remain anonymous.

Rescues and Anti-Trafficking Programs Halted

The aid freeze has also suspended civil-society-led rescue missions and trafficking prevention initiatives. Previously, groups worked alongside Cambodian authorities to help victims escape from captivity. Many survivors flee by jumping out of windows or relying on rescue operators. However, without financial support, these efforts are rapidly disappearing.

U.S. Sanctions Key Cambodian Official

Last October, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Ly Yong Phat, a senior figure in Prime Minister Hun Manet’s Cambodian People’s Party. He was accused of running businesses that trafficked individuals into scam call centers. The crackdown, however, has not stopped trafficking networks, and the ongoing aid freeze is making victim rehabilitation even harder.

Journalists and Activists Face Growing Pressure

The fight against these scam operations has already put civil society and independent media under intense government scrutiny. Authorities have shut down media outlets covering the issue, and a journalist investigating scam compounds was arrested. The latest funding crisis has further weakened anti-trafficking efforts.

Critical Support Services Shut Down

Caritas received financial backing from USAID through Winrock International, with an expected $1 million in funding over two years. Additional support came from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a U.N. agency heavily funded by the U.S. Now, with the funding halted, vital services for survivors—including trauma care, legal assistance, and visa support—are in jeopardy.

Jake Sims, co-founder of Shamrock, an organization combating cyber-enabled crimes, emphasized the shelter’s importance. “It is the only qualified and competent shelter,” he said, highlighting its role in helping victims reintegrate into society.

Victims Struggle to Rebuild Their Lives

Even when victims escape, reintegration remains a challenge. Many end up in police custody, followed by prolonged detention in immigration centers. Without savings or legal assistance, they struggle to return home.

Mina Chiang, founder of Humanity Research Consultancy, warned of dire consequences. “In 2022, my team and I saw cases where Taiwanese survivors became homeless on Cambodian streets after escaping scam compounds,” she said. Others, she noted, were hunted down by criminals after fleeing.

Rescue Efforts on Hold

Li Ling, a rescue worker and PhD student studying cyber-enabled slavery, revealed that she stopped assisting scam workers due to the funding freeze. Six victims left the Caritas shelter when operations were suspended, and two have since gone missing. “I am concerned they may have ended up back in scam compounds,” she said, explaining that without resources, they might have taken desperate measures to survive.

Medical aid programs for injured victims have also suffered. One organization, which previously covered emergency surgeries for escapees, including individuals who jumped from buildings, can no longer offer assistance.

Uncertain Future for Victims

Neither USAID, IOM, nor the Cambodian government has responded to requests for comment. Meanwhile, shelters, rescue operations, and medical aid programs remain paralyzed, leaving thousands vulnerable to further exploitation.