The British Chamber of Commerce in Moldova in partnership with MAD-AID is inviting NGO staff and volunteers, Government/Law Enforcement/Border Guards/ working on the frontline in Moldova to a training on Human Trafficking Awareness.

The training will take place as following:

May: 16 - 20, 2022: training for frontline NGO staff and volunteers 

May 23 - 25, 2022: training for frontline NGO staff and volunteers

May 26 & 27, 2022:training for Government/Law Enforcement/Border Guards/ 

The aim of the project is to provide human trafficking awareness training to frontline NGO staff and volunteers operating in Moldova to improve the protection of refugees displaced by the crisis in Ukraine. This crisis is happening now and while there must always be short, medium and long terms aims. This training addresses short term needs only. This is to raise awareness of human trafficking to frontline NGO’s, workers and volunteers in order to better prepare them in helping manage risks to refugees. 

Background information:

The war/conflict in Ukraine has led to a refugee crisis with millions of Ukraine citizens fleeing the conflict areas with millions moving west for safe haven. It is acknowledged that this presents a humanitarian crisis but with additional risks to refugees from human traffickers. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees more than ten million people have now fled their homes in Ukraine because of the Russian invasion. This is changing daily. As well as the four million who have left for neighbouring countries, another estimated 6.5 million people are thought to be displaced inside the war-torn country itself. Refugees are crossing into Moldova and are also crossing to neighbouring countries to the west, such as Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary.

The UN says that as of 29 March, four million people have left Ukraine.

Some people have travelled from Moldova into Romania and so are included in both countries’ totals. The likelihood is that these numbers will continue to increase on a daily basis.

The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) and aid organizations such as the Human Trafficking Foundation and World Vision warned that refugees are at risk of falling into human trafficking, exploitation and violence, including sexual violence.

There are reports that both men and women have attempted to procure female refugees at gathering points, refuges and stations. The Polish has government passed an amendment which raised the minimum sentence of human trafficking from 3 years to 10 years, and the sex trafficking of children from 10 years to 25 years.  

Many of those volunteering to support refugees have limited or little knowledge of how human traffickers work and the same will apply to refugees themselves. They are adept at providing the first level of support, but they also have a role in providing information concerning the safety needs of refugees.

• There is a clear need for the urgent training and familiarisation of volunteers on how to spot human trafficking risks.
• There is an urgent need for an information campaign targeting refugees to prevent trafficking and victimisation.

To participate in the training, please register here: Click here to register for the training

More information can be found here: https://britcham.md/human-trafficking-awareness-training-project-moldova/ 

For questions or clarifications please contact Ana Ciolan: ana.ciolan@gmail.com, mobile: 068020808 or Victoria Dunford: Info@mad-aid.org.uk