An estimated 120-150 victims of human trafficking a year will be
able to seek short-term, specialized medical and psychological
assistance at a new IOM rehabilitation centre in the Belarus
capital, Minsk.



The centre, funded by the Swiss and Swedish development agencies,
SDC and Sida, will play a critical role in the national referral
system for victims of human trafficking. It will ensure dignified,
confidential support and treatment under one roof.



Since 2003, IOM has assisted 1193 victims of trafficking in
Belarus, 55 per cent of whom were trafficked for sexual
exploitation and another 41 per cent for forced labour. Belarus
victims of trafficking have been helped by IOM to return home
voluntarily from 34 countries around the world, although Russia,
Poland and the United Arab Emirates are the main destination
countries.



The Organization’s counter trafficking work in the country in
close collaboration with the government and non-governmental
organizations, takes a holistic approach, focusing on prevention
efforts, the protection and reintegration of victims as well as the
prosecution and criminalization of traffickers.



For further information, please contact:



Ms. Tatyana Bugaeva

IOM Minsk

Tel: +375 172 98 31 84

E-mail: "mailto:tbugaeva@iom.org.by" target="_blank" title=
"">tbugaeva@iom.org.by