US support to combat trafficking in human

KATHMANDU, July 9

The US Government, through the US Agency for International Development, in association with the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Welfare, has released a human trafficking awareness leaflet.

Following the April 25 earthquake, the US-funded Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) programme is responding to concerns about the increased vulnerability of children and women to trafficking.

A press statement issued by the US Embassy in Kathmandu said that USAID added $450,000 in funding to expand the CTIP programme to six additional earthquake-affected districts that have an increased risk of gender-based violence (GBV), unsafe migration and human trafficking.

It said that the programme focuses on community rehabilitation through psychosocial support, increased awareness of human trafficking and GBV, promotion of economic opportunities to help victims rebuild their lives, provision of legal support and increased access to rehabilitation resources from the Nepali government.

“The leaflet explains how to reduce the risks and vulnerabilities that contribute to trafficking and unsafe migration and provides information on how girls and children can be lured into trafficking through promises of protection, education, economic opportunities, and marriage,” said the US Embassy in a press statement.

“The CTIP programme began in 2010 to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts in the country and we count on close collaboration with the Government of Nepal. Implemented by The Asia Foundation in partnership with other civil society partners, the programme addresses prevention, protection and prosecution,” said Ambassador Peter W Bodde in the statement.

According to the statement, the jointly released CTIP leaflet is being disseminated in 14 earthquake affected districts and other trafficking-prone districts.