IOM Moldova on January 30 staged the final meeting of the Steering Committee of the Project “Strengthening National Efforts to Prevent Trafficking in Persons and Rehabilitate Victims of Trafficking in Persons in the Republic of Moldova”, which was funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP),  IPN reports.

The five-year project aimed to contribute to the observance of the rights of victims of trafficking in persons (VTPs) identified and assisted in the Republic of Moldova, complementing national efforts to identify, rehabilitate and reintegrate VTPs. The project was adapted to the Ukrainian refugee crisis.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection Felicia Bechtold, Deputy Chief of Mission of  the U.S. Embassy in Moldova Laura Hruby and IOM Moldova Chief of Mission Lars Lönnback emphasized the importance of the project and its impact on the prevention of trafficking in persons and also on the rehabilitation and reintegration of these persons.

Also, two hotlines were supported on both banks of the Nistru River – 13,279 prevention and SOS calls were received, and 360 victims of human trafficking were identified and received support in various forms through state shelter centers and implementing partners.

IOM Moldova states that the event aimed to share the results and achievements of this project, lessons learned and challenges encountered during the implementation of the project that supported direct traffic prevention hotlines on both banks of the Nistru River, numerous awareness raising activities on trafficking risks, creation of an Assistance Center for male victims of trafficking,  assistance for the rehabilitation and reintegration of victims and potential victims of trafficking.