Friends International (FI)

Friends-International is a multi-award-winning NGO and social enterprise providing services to save lives and build futures for over 84,000 marginalized children, young people and caregivers in Southeast Asia each year. Founded in 1994, we have over 25 years’ experience providing protection and reintegration services for vulnerable urban children and families including: those living/working on the streets; sex workers and their dependents; illegal/unsafe migrants; drug users; and people living with HIV or other chronic illnesses.

COVID-19 Response

Right now, COVID-19 is having a devastating impact on the families we serve in Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos and Myanmar – without savings or safety nets to fall back on, they require immediate support to survive this crisis. We know there will be no quick fixes in addressing the massive socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, so we seek to support the sustainable, long-term recovery of children and families. Friends-International’s approach combines the provision of emergency relief and protection services with sustainable support including education and school reintegration for out-of-school children, and building skills through market-aligned vocational training to enhance employability and placement in safe, decent jobs for caregivers and young people who have lost their jobs.

Friends-International is urgently seeking flexible funding to help respond to the growing needs of vulnerable families during this crisis.