Newcastle-based anti-human trafficking charity Give Freedom International has allocated $25,000 in immediate emergency relief to its long-term operational partner, 3 Angels Nepal, following severe landslides and flash flooding across Nepal. The funding allocation supports immediate humanitarian aid while construction continues on The Pokhara Project, a secure, disaster-resistant community campus in Pokhara designed to shelter, educate and rehabilitate survivors and women and children at risk of human trafficking.
Natural disasters significantly increase human trafficking risks across active transit corridors due to mass displacement, loss of family livelihoods and structural destruction of schools. Operating at the frontline of regional anti-trafficking operations, 3 Angels Nepal intercepted or rescued 3,436 women and children from human trafficking during the 2024-2025 financial year, while providing long-term residential care for 332 children and emergency shelter for 241 survivors.
Construction on The Pokhara Project commenced in March 2026 and is funded through corporate and philanthropic donations. Following the initial emergency grant, Newcastle donors contributed $21,000 to replenish Give Freedom International’s operational program funds. Under the organisation’s funding framework, all public donations are directed to field operations.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Give Freedom International, Dr Steve Raymond stated that natural disasters create secondary crises by expanding trafficking vulnerabilities.
“The real impact and urgency of the recent disaster for our partners in Nepal will come after the initial response,” Steve said.
“3 Angels Nepal are already at capacity. We’re anticipating a significant increase in demand for shelter and support for more at-risk women and children who need protection from human trafficking. That’s why, beyond emergency relief, we are more determined than ever to continue building The Pokhara Project with the help of local supporters.”
Co-Founder of Give Freedom International, Robyn Raymond added that completing campus infrastructure expands long-term regional rescue and shelter capacity.
“We are constantly blown away by the generosity of our community here in Newcastle and throughout Australia. This project is at a critical stage and we couldn’t do it without them,” Robyn said.
“Now more than ever we need to keep going and make sure The Pokhara Project gets finished so 3 Angels Nepal can continue their work, and increase their capacity to provide opportunity and safer futures for the women and children who need it most.”
IMAGE | Steve Raymond, Robyn Raymond (Give Freedom Founders), Sarah Guatam, Rajendra Guatam (3 Angels Nepal Founders) on TPP site
