Cairo, 23 May 2017 - IOM Egypt organized a three-day training on 16-18 May 2017 in Cairo for health practitioners on the identification and referral of victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants. The training focused on health assessment and care in order to provide them with skills to timely detect and respond to migrants’ specific needs.

Attendees included physicians and lawyers from the Egyptian Red Crescent, Arab Medical Union, Cairo University and Mersal Foundation.

The training covered different topics such as how to identify victims of trafficking; how to communicate effectively with migrants and conduct a comprehensive health assessment of vulnerable migrants; and how to effectively provide individualized care and correctly refer vulnerable migrants to competent actors.

“Human trafficking is one of the most inhumane crimes against humanity. Every migrant can be highly exposed to the risk of being trafficked, and that is why all professionals in contact with such vulnerable individuals should be made familiar with victim identification and subsequent response. In this context, an effective and prompt intervention can save lives,” explained Ms Vanessa Tullo, Counter Trafficking consultant and Unaccompanied Minors Focal Point at IOM Morocco.

The training was part of IOM’s regional project: “Promoting health and wellbeing amongst migrants in Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen” funded by Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The project seeks to improve the health and well-being of migrants across the five countries while supporting governmental and non-governmental health structures in delivering quality, migrant-friendly and psychosocially aware health-care services; and raise awareness among migrants on available health care (including psychosocial support) and health issues of concern.

For further information, please contact Dr. Heidi Goubran at IOM Egypt. Tel: +202 27365140, Email: iomegypt@iom.int