About Us
Freedom in Disasters is a for-purpose, not-for-profit organisation that works across the globe to prevent disaster victims from becoming human trafficking victims.
Also known as the International Institute for Counter Trafficking in Disasters we provide a global platform for our international community. We empower trans-disciplinary stakeholder groups to collaboratively design and share best-practice approaches for human trafficking prevention in disaster settings.
Our Vision
Our vision is a world where disasters are not used to exploit vulnerable men, women and children but are the catalyst to end modern slavery.
We envisage a world where the disaster relief, the development, and the law enforcement sectors combine forces and capitalise on the ‘opportunity’ that disasters provide to end human trafficking in all its forms.
Our Mission
Our mission is to prevent disaster victims from becoming human trafficking victims.
FiD works towards its mission with a collaborative approach, uniting the skills and experiences of local actors and international experts, to serve communities in need. We collaborate with academic organisations, corporations, and social enterprises to make a difference at the local level. Simultaneously we advance the scientific knowledgebase of counter human trafficking in disasters to ensure that the international community has the right tools to help those in need.
Our Values
Together, our work is guided by these core values:
- Accountability
We are accountable to the international community, our partners, our sponsors and, most importantly, those who would otherwise fall victim to human trafficking. We take our accountability very seriously and translate it into every aspect of our organisation.
- Integrity
Our decisions and actions display a consistent commitment to ethical values. Integrity is the foundation for our successful international organisation. It promotes a culture in which we depend on one another to make an impact. We treat each other with respect and work collaboratively across international, trans-disciplinary sectors.
- Transparency
We see transparency as our organisation’s obligation to share information openly with our partners, sponsors and the international community. As a for-impact, not-for-profit organisation, we are accountable to the people we serve. We live our value of transparency when it comes to business dealings, the use of resources, and the appropriate disclosure of information.
- Empowerment
We are a strength-based organisation and believe in empowering others to make an impact. We know that the complex challenges that human trafficking in disasters pose, can only be solved in collaboration with others. We equip our partners and the international community with the relevant tools to make an impact.
- Excellence
We are committed to pursuing the highest possible standard at every level of our organisation. We strive to become the benchmark through innovation. This commitment will allow us to work collaboratively and effectively with our international partners to make an impact.
Our History
Research conducted in early 2020, indicated that there was no internationally operating organisation that supports local counter human trafficking efforts during and after disasters. While the international community was somewhat aware of human trafficking in disasters, the sector seemed to be incapacitated to address this issue collectively and comprehensively.
Climate change induced disaster risk is on the rise around the globe. At the same time, human trafficking is at an all-time high. Current processes are inadequate to deal with the challenges of the 21st century in relation to human trafficking in disasters.
The absence of an organisation which focuses on this topic, would continue to allow organised crime syndicates to utilise disasters as ‘opportunities’ for human trafficking. It was then decided that something had to happen.
The idea of a global organisation which solely focuses on preventing human trafficking in disaster, was born. Freedom in Disasters was established, and the need for our organisation to address the intersection of disasters and trafficking is now more prevalent than ever.
Our Team
Matt Dorfstaetter
Board Chair and Co-Founder of Freedom in Disasters
Franz Dorfstaetter
Chief Financial Officer and Co-Founder of Freedom in Disasters
Stefan Joebstl
Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder of Freedom in Disasters
Franziska Boenisch
Program Coordinator for International Engagement at Freedom in Disasters
Our Volunteers
Alanna Dorward
has a background in disability support and is passionate about helping people build skills and independence. She is part of the Global Action for Freedom, with a focus on supporting survivors of human trafficking to rebuild their lives.
Raman Law
Raman's background is in engineering, with hobbies of playing sport, hiking and traveling. His travels exposed him to global inequality, inspiring his passion for humanitarian work, ultimately leading him to become a FID volunteer.
Aime Dick
has a background in the creative industry and is passionate about helping people and making a difference while travelling. She is volunteering as part of the Global Action for Freedom to help and learn from survivors of human trafficking.
Ashley Twigg
is an electrician from Australia who has joined FID with a mission to help those in need and make the world a better place, one step at a time.
Broden Warne
is a Queensland businessman who has donated his time and resources as both a volunteer and fundraiser, travelling to Nepal to stand alongside Freedom in Disasters in the fight against human trafficking.
Reports and Publications
Our Publications are resources that we collaborated on, or commissioned for the purpose of contributing to the international body of knowledge in regards to human trafficking and disasters. Note that these Publications are also referenced in our Resource Hub with other relevant data and information.
FiD Publications
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Matthias Dorfstaetter
is Board Chair and Co-Founder of Freedom in Disasters, where he leads a global effort to address human trafficking risks in disaster and humanitarian settings. His experience across emergency management and disaster response has shaped a strong focus on systems thinking, adaptive leadership, and decision-making in complex and rapidly evolving environments.
Through Freedom in Disasters, established in 2021, Matt works with governments, NGOs, and international partners to develop collaborative, best-practice approaches to prevention. He is committed to strengthening resilience and enabling more effective, coordinated responses to emerging risks in disaster contexts.
Franz Dorfstaetter
is Chief Financial Officer and Co-Founder of Freedom in Disasters, where he oversees the organisation’s financial strategy, governance, and sustainability. With a strong background in financial management and community-based organisations, Franz brings decades of practical experience in business operations and resource management to support mission-driven initiatives.
Franz spent decades operating and managing an organic food retail business, successfully overseeing several supermarket locations and gaining extensive experience in financial planning, operations, and leadership. In later years, he transitioned into education, teaching business administration and sharing his practical knowledge with the next generation. He has also been actively involved in the non-profit sector, including overseeing financial operations for organisations such as Mountain Rescue Payerbach-Reichenau.
Stefan Joebstl
is Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder of Freedom in Disasters, where he leads the organisation’s technical and data-driven approach to addressing human trafficking risks in disaster and humanitarian contexts. With a background in data science, economics, and IT, Stefan brings strong analytical expertise and a systems-oriented mindset to complex global challenges.
Since co-founding Freedom in Disasters in 2021, he has focused on developing data-informed tools, frameworks, and insights that support prevention efforts and strengthen coordination across stakeholders. He is committed to leveraging technology and data to enable more effective, evidence-based responses in high-risk environments.
Franziska Boenisch
is the Program Coordinator for International Engagement at Freedom in Disasters. Since joining in 2022, she has contributed to the organisation’s work through in-depth research and analysis that informs its operations. A key part of her role has been building and strengthening relationships with international stakeholders, facilitating collaboration across organisations, practitioners, and institutions. Alongside her outreach and engagement work, she has also supported the development of the International Standard for Counter-Trafficking in Disasters and Humanitarian Crises as one component of her broader portfolio.
Drawing on her background in International Relations and International Law, Franziska brings a strong understanding of international cooperation and the role of political and legal systems in shaping effective, collective action.