Three new cooperation agreements signed by IOM, the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) and local authorities
in the Ecuadorian cantons of Guamote, Colta and Cuenca will
strengthen the fight against human trafficking.

In the decentralized, autonomous municipalities of Colta and
Guamote, the agreements will enable local authorities to draft
local plans, public policies and legislative measures approved in
the National Plan to Prevent and Punish Trafficking in Persons that
also provides protection for victims.

According to published reports, there is a high incidence of
human trafficking for begging and labour exploitation amongst the
indigenous population in the central highlands, especially boys,
girls and adolescents.

The indigenous children are recruited by members of the
communities to work in Venezuela and Colombia.

"A marked increase in the number of cases of human trafficking
prompted IOM to visit the areas and offer support to local
authorities already combating human trafficking.  But very few
of these cases are ever reported, often out of fear, ignorance, or
simply because it is very difficult for the families to initiate
legal proceedings against the traffickers," explains Rogelio
Bernal, IOM Chief of Mission in Ecuador.

In the canton of Cuenca, the agreement aims to strengthen the
institutional capacities of the local council and will include an
investigation to determine the causes and forms of trafficking of
children and adolescents, which will allow the authorities to put
in place more effective preventive measures.

IOM's current programme to combat human trafficking in Ecuador
(2010-2013), financed by USAID, works to support the implementation
of the National Plan, which includes prevention activities,
protection for victims and prosecution of traffickers.  It
also promotes the participation of local governments, civil
society, international organizations and donors.

For more information, please contact: 

Ana Guzmán

IOM Ecuador

Tel: +593.2.2266.304

Mobile: +593 9 3597-322

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