Ratanak International is a Canadian nonprofit organization and registered charity (Business No. 894452796RR0001) focused on humanitarian aid and anti-trafficking efforts in Cambodia. Founded in 1989 by Brian McConaghy, it originated as The Ratanak Foundation after McConaghy witnessed the death of a Cambodian infant named Ratanak ("precious gem" in Khmer) due to inadequate medical care in a documentary.

Background

The organization began its work in 1990, addressing systemic issues in post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia, including poverty, healthcare gaps, and social infrastructure deficits. Early projects included building schools, clinics, and hospitals, as well as establishing orphanages and shelters for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and AIDS patients.

Mission and Focus

Ratanak International's mission centers on empowering Cambodians to overcome cycles of exploitation, poverty, and abuse. Since 2004, it has expanded its focus to combat child sexual exploitation and human trafficking through four key areas:

• Prevention: Community education and awareness programs.
• Rescue and Rehabilitation: Partnering with local authorities to remove victims from exploitation and provide trauma care.
• Reintegration: Offering vocational training, education, and family support to survivors.
• Community Transformation: Addressing systemic issues through healthcare, education, and social services.

Key Initiatives

The organization supports survivors like "Narith" (pseudonym), a Cambodian man trafficked into forced labor on a fishing vessel, by providing medical care, counseling, and livelihood assistance. It also funds literacy programs, healthcare initiatives, and systemic reforms to reduce vulnerabilities to trafficking.

Structure

Headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia, Ratanak International operates a field office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, collaborating with local partners to implement programs. It maintains a Christian ethos but emphasizes cross-cultural partnerships to achieve its humanitarian goals.