Cairo, 15-24 September - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted in partnership with the National Coordination Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons a series of trainings for 65 hotline operators from the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, the National Council for Women (NCW) and the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) on responding to reports of trafficking in persons (TiP) and case management. The trainings were developed and led by an expert, who was featured in the US State Department 2020 TiP Report as a “counter trafficking Hero”. Prior to the trainings, IOM had provided material support to enhance the telecommunication infrastructure of the NCW’s helpline as well as equipment and subscription to a digital number for the NCHR’s hotline.

The trainings enhanced the capacities and knowledge of these first-line responders in identifying, referring and handling TiP cases reported over the phone, and included modules on the nature and legal context of the crime, prevention, identification and protection of victims, handling beneficiaries over the phone, as well as referring cases to the right authorities.

“Setting operational helplines certainly contributes to establishing a comprehensive and effective protection framework, which also includes the Government-run shelter for victims of trafficking as key and essential element. The continuity of our actions to strengthen the national response against trafficking in persons from all different angles, in partnership with the national stakeholders, will contribute to understand, identify and eradicate better this crime as well as to enhance the referral mechanism for the comprehensive protection of all victims” stated Andrea Dabizzi, IOM Egypt’s Head of Migrant Protection Assistance Unit during opening remarks of the trainings. The three national councils and their helplines target all categories of at-risk populations, including women, children, and men from both migrant and host communities, hence initiating an holistic and sustainable provision of protection framework and management for all those in need.

The trainings were conducted under the Government of Denmark-funded project “Strengthening the Sphere of Protection for Victims of Trafficking and Vulnerable Migrants in Egypt while Preventing Irregular Migration and Human Trafficking”, through which IOM collaborates with the Government of Egypt in implementing the 2016-2021 National Strategy to combat trafficking in persons. The trainings support the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, Goal 8: (8.7) End modern day slavery and human trafficking and Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. The initiative is also in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030 for a society characterized by equal economic, social, political rights and opportunities realizing social inclusion.

For more information, please contact Wigdan Mohamad at IOM Egypt, Tel: +20 1012 428 527, Email: wimohamad@iom.int