ADAPT

ADAPT, an on-the-ground counter-trafficking project operating along the Vietnam-Cambodia border since 2005, was born out of Vietnamese American community’s concern for the safety of young girls who live in vulnerable, high-risk areas.

The An giang Dong thap Alliance for the Prevention of Trafficking (ADAPT) is a collaboration among three Vietnamese American NGOs, including Pacific Links Foundation, East Meets West Foundation and the International Children Assistance Network. In its initial phase of 2005-2008, ADAPT receives partial support from a GDA-USAID grant.

An Giang and Dong Thap provinces have among the highest trafficking rates and cases of HIV infection in Vietnam. The young girls in these areas are at-risk of being deceived into crossing the border for promises of better-paid employment and often end up victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation purposes. Their vulnerability stems mainly from low educational attainment which not only deprives the girls of the sophistication to identify legitimate job offers but also provides them limited opportunity to find stable and adequately-paying jobs that would help their families break the cycle of poverty.