Human trafficking in the wake of natural disasters

Abstract

There is a growing understanding of the intersection of natural disasters and human trafficking, but little empirical research on this phenomenon. This exploratory study seeks to advance knowledge on the nexus of human trafficking after natural disasters in the Gulf South region of the United States. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 46 disaster responders and human trafficking responders working in Louisiana during a major hurricane between 2017- 2022. These interviews explored the landscape of human trafficking in the wake of disasters, the impact of natural disasters on respondents’ abilities to identify and respond to trafficking, and the lessons that respondents learned from their experiences. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed that respondents identified both sex and labor trafficking that occurred after hurricanes. Responders were severely limited in their ability to respond to trafficking in post-disaster settings. However, responders found creative and innovative partnerships to overcome challenges in post-disaster settings. We discuss implications for human trafficking responders, disaster responders, and researchers to advance anti-trafficking response in post-disasters settings.