2006 Press Releases

US Embassy Grants $100,000 to UNICEF for Trafficking in Persons Program

Freetown
September 26, 2006
Contact: Public Affairs Officer (US Embassy) Tel: 226 481

Contact: Assistant Communication Officer (UNICEF) Tel: 235 721

 

US Ambassador Thomas N. Hull and UNICEF Representative Geert Cappelaere signed a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Grant on Tuesday September 26.   The grant of almost 300 million Leones ($100,000) titled, “Prevention and Response to Trafficking in Persons in Sierra Leone” aims to increase the capacity of the Government of Sierra Leone to respond appropriately to TIP and to prevent TIP by raising awareness on the detrimental effects to the trafficked person, families, and communities.

The U.S. government views trafficking as modern day slavery and estimates that between 600,000 and 800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders every year.  Approximately 80 percent of those trafficking victims are females and up to 50 percent are children.  Most of these international trafficking victims end up forced to work in the sex trade.

In Sierra Leone, “trafficking in persons” is a complex issue whereby someone is taken from their home for the purpose of exploitation or abuse.  It is considered a crime. In the rural area, poverty and lack of education have resulted in various forms of exploitation of children and women as domestic workers, commercial and sexual workers, child miners and so on.  Seeking a better life for self and children often put these vulnerable persons at risk of trafficking everywhere in the country.

Ambassador Hull said, “It is the hope of the American people that this grant will help prevent Sierra Leoneans from falling victim to, or, from allowing their children to become victims of trafficking. Despite the feeling of hopelessness that often accompanies poverty, this country's greatest asset is its own people and we must protect and uplift the children so they may continue to live in a country of peace.”

The activities funded by the grant are aimed to ensure human trafficking is prevented, the survivors are protected, and the traffickers are put in jail.

“We believe that this funding from the U.S. Government will shed more light on the problem of trafficking in children.  Human trafficking violates the human rights, and UNICEF is committed to supporting the Government in preventing and responding to such problems.” says Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Representative.  “This newly funded project will help the Government of Sierra Leone to develop a National Plan of Action and enhance the capacity of Government to fight against human trafficking.  This will make a real difference particularly to children and women who are trafficked or at risk of trafficking in Sierra Leone.”

Combating TIP requires collaboration on prevention, protection, prosecution, response and monitoring and evaluation.  With efforts on advocacy for legal reform, new policies and procedures, and capacity building of Government institutions and local communities both the US Embassy and UNICEF hope this grant contributes to long-term sustainability.