AFESIP (Acting for Women in Distressing Circumstances), the NGO started by Somaly Mam in 1996, expanded to Laos to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children in areas where help was needed the most. In addition to providing holistic care and recovery for victims of trafficking, AFESIP Laos offers vocational training to support their sustainable community reintegration.
Their work is based on outreach work and prevention; advocacy and campaigning; and through representation and participation in women's issues at national, regional and international forums. The success criteria has been, first and foremost, securing victim’s rights by providing holistic care through a victim centered approach which ensures long term goals of successful and permanent rehabilitation and reintegration.
AFESIP Laos PDR's main office and the first Rehabilitation Centre were established in Vientiane in 2006. The second Rehabilitation Centre was opened in Savannakhet (Southern Laos) in March 2009. Their activities range from prevention and advocacy, investigation and rescue operations for victims to follow-up after their reintegration into the community. Their Legal department also supports the victims to ensure access to justice. Each year, the Somaly Mam Foundation gives general funding grants to AFESIP Laos in support of its important work.