Safe Migration II (SaMiCa)

Despite growing cities, about 80% of the Cambodian population still lives in rural areas. Agriculture is the livelihood for most households, making them acutely vulnerable to climatic shocks. Cambodia ranks among the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change. Income opportunities other than agriculture are scarce and education and choices limited, so migration has become an established livelihood strategy. In the hope of job opportunities and better income, many Cambodians migrate to improve their lives and their families’ living situations. In total, there are currently around 1-2 million Cambodian workers in Thailand alone.

Most Cambodians choose to migrate irregularly, although formal agreements on safe migration between the two governments exist. It is estimated that less than 30% of workers migrate through official channels and possess a visa and/or work permits. The reason for this is that formal migration channels are slow, extremely bureaucratic, and associated with high costs. Low awareness in both right holders and duty bearers and lack of community networks result in irregular and uninformed internal and cross-border migration, rendering migratory job seekers vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation.

Potential and returning vulnerable migrants – especially children and women - are supported through prevention, protection, and reintegration services provided by the local NGO Damnok Toek and the National Committee for Counter Trafficking. In addition, Caritas Switzerland self-implements the Graduation Approach, a comprehensive approach that addresses prevention, protection, and reintegration for vulnerable populations and migrants in Cambodia.

Awareness-raising activities sensitize migrants and communities on the risks of unsafe migration. Capacity building of authorities and legal document support for potential migrants further promote the prevention of human trafficking. For victims of human trafficking, emergency care is provided. To improve these services, actors working in victim identification and protection are trained and referral systems strengthened. The reintegration of children into safe family structures and female migrants into their communities is ensured. This increases migrants’ resilience and aims at their long-term wellbeing.

In Kamrieng, the Graduation Approach provides sustainable livelihood options through life skills training, vocational education, financial literacy, savings programs, business startup support, and psychosocial services. In Poipet, similar strategies, including job placement and vocational training, aid reintegration and reduce unsafe migration. These efforts address multiple barriers, helping vulnerable households achieve self-reliance and avoid unsafe migration practices. Lastly, the institutional weaknesses and poor collaboration between migration actors in the country are addressed with capacity building and coordination of NGO networks and other stakeholders working in safe migration.