Zanzibar – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has continued its support to the efforts of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in addressing the challenges of human trafficking and in responding to the needs and demands of trafficking victims in the country.

The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Secretariat (ATS) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in collaboration with Research Triangle Institute (RTI) organized a five-day training from 25-29 March 2019 in Zanzibar. As the official technical partner to the Secretariat of the Anti-Human Trafficking in Tanzania, IOM attended the official opening of the event as well as co-facilitated training sessions.

In Zanzibar, IOM has started the implementation of its interventions through the United Nations Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP) II (2016–2021) under the framework of the Zanzibar Joint Programme (ZJP) which is being implemented by eight UN agencies. As part of the Programme, IOM, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Empowerment, Gender, Elderly and Children is currently undertaking a scoping study to explore and map shelter and service providers for the victims of trafficking, as well as documenting the dynamics and vulnerabilities of trafficked persons in Zanzibar. The study is expected to provide useful information to guide the implementation of the appropriate interventions to prevent and respond to Trafficking in Persons (TIP).

The objective of the training is to increase the knowledge of frontline workers on human trafficking and make them aware of their roles and responsibilities towards combating trafficking in persons and responding to the needs of trafficking victims in Zanzibar. Among the expected outcomes of the five-day training is the development of an action plan that will guide the participants on coordinating mechanisms among themselves and other local and international partners with the aim of ensuring that both the challenges of TIP are met and the needs of trafficked cases are well responded to.

The Minister of Home Affairs of the United Republic of Tanzania, Kange Lugola, who was the guest of honor, recognized in his opening remarks the role played by IOM in supporting the government, especially in assisting Tanzanians who have been trafficked and stranded both outside and inside the country. He went on, adding that IOM also has been supporting the Government of Tanzania in facilitating the return of Ethiopian irregular migrants in Tanzania to their home country as well as assisting voluntary return of Burundian refugees back to Burundi.

In his remarks during the meeting, Dr. Qasim Sufi, IOM Chief of Mission in Tanzania acknowledged the efforts and initiatives of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania since it has ratified the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, in 2006. He briefly explained how IOM is supporting the government in combating and responding to human trafficking issues by providing direct and specialized assistance to victims of trafficking, supporting the government and other partners on data related to cases of trafficking in persons, and building the capacity and raising awareness of relevant government officials and community members.

The training brought together 80 government officials from different departments and institutions including police, immigration, public prosecutors, magistrates, state attorney and social welfares, aiming to provide an avenue for them to understand the concept of human trafficking and how best to combat and respond to it considering the role played by each department and other partners.

For more information please contact Enna Lutengano at IOM Tanzania, Tel: +255 713 975 000; Email: elutengano@iom.int