One of Ukraine’s leading mobile phone operators, LLC Astelit
has taken another step forward in the battle against human
trafficking in the country by informing 200,000 of their
subscribers about an IOM toll free-counter-trafficking short number
to raise awareness of the need to protect the rights of Ukrainians
going abroad.



In April 2007, LLC Astelit which uses the trademark life:), and two
other mobile phone operators, KyivStar GSM and UMC, established a
toll-free counter-trafficking short number – 527 –
which routes all calls to a free IOM service providing information
on the current realities facing migrants abroad including human
trafficking and the consequences of irregular entry and stay in
foreign countries. Potential migrants will also get information on
legal methods of migration.



“As a company we implement a number of social projects aimed
at supporting the most vulnerable categories of Ukrainian citizens.
We understand perfectly well the importance and urgency of the
human trafficking issue in the modern society. Thus, we are happy
to support such a noble initiative and provide a toll-free number
that we hope will contribute to countering trafficking,” said
Oksana Rudiuk, Head of  External Relations, life:).



The toll-free short number complements other ongoing
counter-trafficking activities of IOM in Ukraine. These include a
new trafficking prevention campaign “Say ‘Stop!’
to Traffickers” targeting the youth who are particularly
vulnerable to the crime.



Trafficking in human beings has become a modern migration and human
rights challenge demanding a strong, comprehensive and coherent
response from governments, private sector, civil society and the
international community at large. An estimated 100,000 Ukrainians
have been trafficked for various forms of exploitation since 1991.




For the last five years, IOM has provided assistance to more than
4,000 victims of trafficking in Ukraine including medical care,
psychological counselling, reintegration grants, vocational
training and legal assistance.



To receive more detailed information about the initiative please
contact IOM Kiev Public Information Office at Tel: +380 44-568 50
15 or Email: "mailto:pr@iom.kiev.ua" target="" title="">pr@iom.kiev.ua

Going abroad? Take care of your
safety, call 527 - National Migration Hotline. Calls are free
inside Ukraine. Say "stop" to traffickers