OVERVIEW

Human trafficking is a phenomenon which remains extremely pervasive both within and between Afghanistan and its neighboring countries. Afghanistan is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex-trafficking.

USAID’s Combating Human Trafficking in Afghanistan Project, co-funded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), raises awareness on human trafficking by preparing Afghan government institutions to effectively prevent trafficking, prosecute traffickers, protect victims, and improve regional coordination to combat cross-border trafficking. Target regions for this anti-trafficking project are Kabul, Logar, Wardak, Nangarhar, Kunar, Nuristan, Laghman, Takhar, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Herat, Balkh, Jawzjan, Kandahar, Helmand, Nimroz, Khost, Paktya, Ghazni, and Paktika.

PLANNED ACTIVITIES

• Training: Train 2,400 Afghan government officials and law enforcement personnel at the national, provincial, and local levels, as well as community elders in focused areas to effectively identify and respond to cases of human trafficking.
• Raising Awareness: Conduct wide-scale information and awareness-raising campaigns in focused areas to educate government authorities and the general public on the risks and dangers associated with human trafficking as well as on ways they can provide assistance and protection to victims.
• Research: Publish annual reports on various forms of human trafficking in Afghanistan.
• Protection: Prepare care providers (shelter workers, front line responders, case management workers, and social workers), skills trainers, employers, counsellors, education providers, health workers, and legal aid workers to effectively protect victims in high risk communities. The preparation includes training and coordination with international non-governmental agencies to establish strong referral systems for victims.
• Regional Cooperation: Support and assist in organizing regional consultations on migration issues, including the prevention of human trafficking as well as assistance and protection at the state level.

EXPECTED RESULTS

• Better identification and more effective response to cases of human trafficking by national and regional stakeholders, including government and civil society.
• Target populations demonstrate safe migration practices by regularly and consistently seeking help through appropriate channels when needed.
• Improved protection of victims in high risk communities by relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinated counter trafficking activities with relevant state institutions across borders.