Mozambique - IOM and  Mozambique’s Prosecutor General’s Office (PGR) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide a framework for closer cooperation in preventing and combating human trafficking, as well as protecting and assisting victims.

“The signing of the agreement will formalize our already excellent cooperation and allow us to implement joint projects aimed at strengthening government capacities in countering trafficking and protecting its victims, many of whom are children,” said IOM Mozambique Chief of Mission Katharina Schnöring. 

IOM Mozambique, which is part of the National Referral Group on Child Protection and Combating Human Trafficking, closely coordinates its counter-trafficking activities with the PGR, which leads national efforts. Provincial and district level referral groups receive trainings and technical support, and IOM participates in prevention campaigns led by government and NGO partners.

IOM, the PGR and the National Referral Group are currently working together  to finalise a national referral mechanism for victims (NRM), which will guarantee trafficked persons access to comprehensive government-led assistance, in line with national legislation and international standards.

Mozambique is a country of origin, transit and to a lesser extent destination for human trafficking. Due to the hidden nature of the crime, it is often nearly impossible to say how many people are trafficked each year from and within Mozambique. IOM, which runs a direct assistance programme providing comprehensive support to victims, has assisted 15 individuals since 2014. 

Most of the victims assisted were minors, mainly exploited in forced labour in nearby South Africa or inside Mozambique. In 2015, 95 criminal cases were investigated for human trafficking.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, IOM and PGR will carry out joint trainings for counter-trafficking referral groups and law enforcement throughout the country, building their capacities to implement the NRM. In addition, IOM will rehabilitate three shelters for victims of trafficking in the north, centre and south of the country, and provide trainings for social services on the provision of direct assistance.

IOM Mozambique’s counter trafficking programme is supported by the US State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

For further information please contact Ruth Krcmar at IOM Mozambique, Tel:  Direct: +258 21 310 77 | Mobile: +258 84 052 79 25, Email: rkrcmar@iom.int