Somalia - IOM, with support from the European Union and the Government of Japan, has organized the first-ever consultative meeting aimed at improving collaboration and coordination to combat human trafficking in Somalia.

The meeting facilitated a sharing of best practices to enable the Federal Government of Somalia and the Puntland State of Somalia to identify strategic areas for collaboration and coordination between government and other actors tasked with preventing trafficking, providing assistance to victims and prosecuting traffickers.

Speaking during the three-day meeting held in Entebbe, Uganda, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Security Mohamed Jama Ali said: “Human trafficking is still a major problem in Somalia due to the prolonged civil war, which has led to many people, especially the young, to opt for irregular migration abroad. Criminal groups exploit their vulnerable situation as a source of income.”

Jama urged international agencies and NGOs to work closely with government authorities in Somalia, Puntland State and other regional states in putting an end to human trafficking in the country.

Over the years, Puntland State of Somalia has been a major transit zone for migrants in mixed flows, mostly from Southern and Central Somalia.  This includes the majority of victims trafficked to the Gulf and Middle East, as well as countries in North Africa and other locations en route to Europe.

IOM Somalia has been conducting awareness raising campaign on human trafficking, and providing capacity building and institutional support to government institutions. IOM facilitates care and protection of victims through working with government authorities, NGOs, communities and civil society, to provide both direct and indirect assistance.

For further information, please contact Solomon Tagel at IOM Somalia, Tel: +254 791 843 372, Email: tsolomon@iom.int