The IOM office in Managua has launched a pilot project to provide
reintegration assistance to victims of trafficking in Chinandega
province.

Chinandega province, located in the southwest on the Honduran
border, is considered the most vulnerable to human trafficking in
the country.

Of 26 victims assisted to return home between January and
October 2006, 13 were from communities in Chinandega. The victims
were taken to El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, México and
the United States. Government authorities estimate that for every
case that comes to their attention, there are three others that
remain unreported.

In Nicaragua poverty, unemployment, lack of information about
the dangers of human trafficking and migrant smuggling and abuse
within the family, are the main factors pushing young women to seek
a better life elsewhere.

The pilot project will focus on providing return and
reintegration assistance to the victims including shelter, medical
and psychosocial assistance, as well as working with partners to
strengthen local and national networks working with victims of
trafficking and drafting a strategy to standardize the assistance
provided to victims.

At the same time, IOM Nicaragua has joined regional counter
trafficking efforts underway between IOM, the Inter American
Development Bank and the Ricky Martin Foundation through the Llama
y Vive (Call and Live) information campaign and information and
assistance hotline.

The campaign’s hotline provides free, confidential, 24/7
information to raise awareness about human trafficking amongst
potential victims and the general public a provide advice,
assistance and protection to victims.

A message from world famous pop star Ricky Martin is at the
centre of the campaign. Television and radio public service
announcements, posters and other printed material will carry Ricky
Martin’s message to potential victims and the general
public.

Llama y Vive is also underway in Costa Rica, Ecuador, El
Salvador, and Peru.

IOM is also working with the Ministries of Interior and of the
Family and with the Nicaraguan Counter Trafficking Coalition
composed of officials, NGOs, civil society and religious
personnel.

For more information, please contact:

Raul Rivas

IOM Nicaragua

Tel: + 505 2789569

E-mail: "mailto:rrivas@iom.int">rrivas@iom.int