Cairo, 5 February 2020 – IOM Egypt and its national partners, the National Coordinating Committee on Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM & TIP) and the Ministry of Health and Population organized a training workshop for 17 doctors from eight governorates titled “Strengthening the Capacities of Healthcare Providers on Caring for Victims of Trafficking in Persons” on 5 & 6 February 2020. In-line with the 3Ps + 1 paradigm — Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution plus Partnership, the workshop aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of Egyptian doctors in caring for and ensuring the protection of victims of trafficking in persons in accordance with the national frameworks and global best practices.

“It is always a real pleasure working with NCCPIM&TIP, the Ministry of Health and Population, and whole of the government on this issue. Involving health practitioners is a positive initiative that we must promote largely, showing how essential involving all actors is. The policy of the government is people-focused, and victims of these crimes are the center of its concerns. Responding to the victims’ health conditions after such traumatized situations is the best example of how Egypt is committed to provide a large protection scheme in its fight against trafficking in persons.” Said Mr. Laurent de Boeck, IOM Egypt’s Chief of Mission.

The workshop focuses on addressing the health consequences of trafficking in persons, trauma-informed care for victims, the importance of consent and on maximizing the role of healthcare service providers in caring for victims and enhancing their resilience during the rehabilitation process. The sessions also introduced participants to the phenomenon, including the vulnerabilities of the different groups that fall victims of this crime, and to relevant legal instruments such as the Egyptian Counter-Trafficking Law No.64 of the year 2010 and the Organ Transplant Law, clarifying the distinction between trafficking in persons for organ removal and organ trafficking.

Lastly, the workshop included discussions on practical case studies, guiding principles of protection, as well as other special consideration, relevant to the role of healthcare service providers, when dealing with different groups and/or cases such as working with children and sexual and reproductive health of victims.

The training was made possible by the contribution of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark. The training contributed to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. It is also in-line with the objectives of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS): Vision 2030, particularly its social justice pillar.

For further information, please contact Omar Awwad at IOM Egypt, Tel: +20 1032 049 144 Email: oawwad@iom.int