On 30 January 2024, IOM Moldova organized the Final Project Steering Committee Meeting of the project “Strengthening National Efforts to Prevent Trafficking in Persons and Rehabilitate Victims of Trafficking in the Republic of Moldova”, financed by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP) of the US Department of State.

The five-year project began in 2019 and aimed to contribute to the respect of rights of victims of trafficking (VoTs) identified and assisted in the Republic of Moldova, complementing national efforts in the field of identification, rehabilitation, and reintegration of VoTs. The project was adapted to the Ukrainian refugee crisis.

The State Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Ms. Felicia Bechtold, the Deputy Chief of the US Embassy in Moldova, Ms. Laura Hruby, and the IOM Chief of Mission, Mr. Lars Johan Lönnback, opened the event, welcomed the participants, and highlighted the importance of the project and its impact on preventing the phenomenon of trafficking in persons, as well as to their rehabilitation and reintegration.

Among other results, two hotlines on both banks of the Nistru river received support - 13,279 prevention and SOS calls were received, and 360 victims of human trafficking were identified and received different forms of support through state shelters and implementing partners.

The event brought together representatives of the US Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, on a working visit to the Republic of Moldova, representatives of the US Embassy, and the project’s implementing partners: five national NGOs and key state stakeholders. The event aimed to share the results and achievements within this project, lessons learned, and challenges encountered while implementing the project which supported the hotlines on prevention of trafficking on both banks of the Nistru river, numerous awareness activities on the risks of trafficking, the establishment of a Center for assistance of male victims of trafficking, rehabilitation and reintegration assistance for victims and potential victims of trafficking. 

***
For more information, please contact: 
Riccardo Severi, Communications and Public Information Officer, IOM Moldova - rseveri@iom.int