ICMC's work in Southeast Asia is currently centred on Indonesia and Malaysia. Operations began in 1999 to respond to the urgent needs and protection issues faced by East Timorese people displaced from their homes and communities. The East Timor crisis, the consequences of civil strife in Aceh and conflicts between displaced an host communities in Maluku led ICMC to develop comprehensive programmes in the areas of facilitated return, material support for extremely vulnerable families, trauma identification / recovery and prevention and protection of victims of trafficking, especially women and youth.

In partnership with ACILS (American Centre for International Labour Solidarity) ICMC was instrumental in drafting and promoting the promulgation of comprehensive counter-trafficking legislation for Indonesia. Current work with national, local governments and local NGOs now focus on the effective implementation of the law, the elaboration of action plans, and the development of a referral system for survivors of trafficking.

With the support of the European Union, the US Government, the World Bank and the Indonesian Department of Social Welfare (DEPSOS) ICMC's scope of work has expanded significantly. Currently ICMC is implementing, in partnership with the Ministry of Women's Empowerment (KPP) and Tenaganita (Malaysian NGO), a major programme aimed at spreading awareness of the new legislation and building the capacity of municipal and provincial authorities and civil society groups to identify and rescue trafficking victims and to pursue and prosecute traffickers. The programme is also fostering cross-border cooperation between Indonesian and Malaysian authorities at border-crossing points on the island of Kalimantan.

ICMC is providing technical assistance to DEPSOS in the context of a project to facilitate the return of victims of social conflicts within the provinces of Naggroe Aceh Durassalam, Central Sulawesi and North Maluku. ICMC is providing training to local NGOs to facilitate and support the return and relocation of the victims of social conflicts through livelihood, reintegration and peace building activities. Building upon its experience since 1999 providing counselling and capacity building advice and training to survivors of violence and trauma, ICMC is currently addressing the needs of victims of gender-based violence (GBV). In Papua ICMC is working with local NGOs to enhance awareness of violence towards women and children and to increase the capacity of NGOs to address the phenomenon through counselling, referrals and education.

ICMC's work with Burmese refugees in Malaysia also focuses on reducing GBV and strengthening refugee communities' own capacity to respond to violence and harassment. It also works with partners to expand the range of services available to refugees and to identify and support the most vulnerable.