Cairo, 24 March 2022 - Social workers are key to the identification, referral and protection of victims of human trafficking. They play a significant role in caring for trafficked victims and ensuring their wellbeing, reintegration into the community as well as preventing the possible re-traumatization. Reacting to a victim of trafficking requires well-considered responses that prioritize the safety of the individual, and possibly those near to them.

The National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP), the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MOSS), the European Union (EU), the International Organization for Migration in Egypt (IOM), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA) joined hands to support social workers in providing such services. Two workshops were organized in Cairo from the 19 to 21 March 2022 and from the 22 to 24 March 2022 for 34 social workers to enhance the quality of services provided at 10 shelters run by the MOSS across Egypt, which accommodate both Egyptian and Foreign Victims of Human Trafficking.

The shelters provide female victims and their children with a safe place, providing the necessary medical, social and psychological support. The social workers were provided with knowledge on each of the steps that may come their way when assisting victims including basic interviewing techniques, identification of victims through a set of indicators on trafficking in persons and methods of assistance once accommodated at the shelters.

Undertaking the tasks of protection, care and assistance can take a toll on the provider. Recognising the principle of ‘caring for the carers’, the trainings included sessions on stress management and compassion fatigue to support social workers with simple approaches for their own wellbeing. This would help them cope with possible stress and avoid burnout as a frontline service provider.

To be able to act as part of a coordinated national response, the workshop shed lights on the roles of various Egyptian authorities in dealing with trafficking in persons. Presentations from the NCCPIM&TIP, National Council for Women (NCW), National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM), MOSS and Public Prosecutors Office provided the ground for robust discussion from the social workers on ways to enhance the protection response in Egypt.

Ambassador Naela Gabr, NCCPIM&TIP Chairperson, stressed the importance of the role of social workers in sharing the acquired knowledge to their colleagues, which contributes to enhancing the assistance and protection services provided to the victims. Mr. Laurent De Boeck, Chief of Mission of IOM Egypt, mentioned that as part of the three Ps in combatting the crime of trafficking in persons, these workshops fall under the protection pillar and pointed out the significant role social workers play in protecting and supporting vulnerable victims of trafficking. In a similar vein, Ms. Cristina Albertin, Regional Representative of UNODC, mentioned that social workers play an important role in identifying and caring for trafficking victims and ensuring the wellbeing of victims, their reintegration in the community as well as preventing the possible re-victimization of victims.

These series of workshops were funded through the generous support offered by the European Union under the project “Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP)” and “Dismantling Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Criminal Networks in North Africa”.

The workshops contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 3 "Good Health and Wellbeing”, Goal 8 “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, Goal 10 “Reduced Inequalities”; as well as come in line with the objectives of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), Objective 10 “Prevent, combat and eradicate trafficking in persons in the context of international migration” and Objective 7 “Address and reduce vulnerabilities in migration”.

For further information, please contact Omar Awwad at IOM Egypt, Tel: +20 101 2428 527 Email: osawwad@iom.int