IOM Uncovering Urgent Needs of Victims of Trafficking

On November 8, 2022, representatives from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Port of Spain Office, presented the Findings on the Situational Analysis of Assistance Efforts to Survivors of Human Trafficking as part of the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund’s (MPTF) Access, Support and Coordination (ASC) Programme: A Collaborative Approach to Support Survivors of Human Trafficking. This presentation event was held at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre and was attended by members of the Government, the Diplomatic Community, United Nations (UN) Agencies, Academia, Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organisations.

The analysis, which was conducted by IOM Port of Spain, revealed that urgent needs of victims of trafficking (VoTs) include shelter, medical/health care, psychological support and education, and training. Employment, protection, legal assistance, and reintegration were also highlighted, along with translation/interpretation services.

Additionally, the analysis found that the provision of services to VoTs is particularly challenged by professional staff shortages, as it relates to service providers, unclear and unstructured referral mechanisms, victims’ safety concerns, victims’ lack of trust in authorities, and inadequate placement facilities for children. Furthermore, it recognized that the COVID-19 pandemic heightened migrants’ vulnerability to trafficking. 

Deputy Director, International Affairs Unit, Richard Lynch speaking on behalf of the Minister of National Security said, “The findings of the Situational Analysis this morning offers an opportunity for us to further strengthen the implementation framework for key policy prescriptions.”

He stressed that when examining the issue of Trafficking in Persons (TiP) it is important to understand the relationship between profitability and high demand. Deputy Director Lynch also highlighted the past and current efforts of the Government to address TiP, such as: the passage of the TiP Act in 2011; the establishment of the Counter Trafficking Unit in 2013, and the strengthening of key relationships with the IOM, as well as with bilateral partners like the United States of America, who is presently assisting with the recruitment of a TiP Strategic Advisor to the Ministry of National Security. Moreover, he advised that the Cabinet recently approved the National Plan of Action against Trafficking, which was designed to advance the coordination and implementation of activities toward the achievement of the objectives outlined in the legislation.

Her Excellency Ute König, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Trinidad and Tobago noted that the Situational Analysis “will give recommendations to deal with the access of support for victims of trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago and will strive to improve their situation and the understanding of all involved. She also added that “Concrete measures to improve procedures, services, or law implementation need a factual basis.”

Data which informed the Situational Analysis was collected through semi-structured interviews with 30 key national stakeholders from government, NGOs, and international agencies as well as 15 victims of trafficking (VoTs), over a two-month period, from February to March 2022.

IOM Port of Spain Principal Research Consultant Leigh-Ann Waldropt-Bonair in her presentation of findings reported that the main recommendations to improve assistance efforts for VoTs include: reviewing and updating the TiP Act; developing and/or finalising migration, labour migration and anti-smuggling policies; funding, and implementing the National Plan of Action; as well as enhancing the capacity of law enforcement.

Tinestia Haynes, Case Coordinator from IOM Port of Spain, in her overview of the ASC Programme said the main objective is for survivors of trafficking to have access to comprehensive and integrated, survivor-centred, specialized services and support, through coordinated efforts by national protection actors and CSOs with support from the United Nations.

The three year project, which was awarded to IOM, UNICEF and UNFPA, seeks to strengthen the capacities of governmental and community-based partners who are responsible for coordinating efforts to respond to the needs of survivors of trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago. This programme is under the Migration MPTF which supports the adoption of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) as well as encourages the implementation of migration approaches that benefit communities of origin, transit, and destination, as well as migrants.

Regarding the MPTF, Ambassador König recognized that the Fund is a strong and indispensable pillar that reinforces the resilience of migrants and communities in order to protect and improve migration governance, prosperity, and social cohesion. She noted that Germany was an early supporter of the Fund, has been the largest donor thus far, and will continue contributing to its financial stability.

-END -

For additional information, please contact the Reporting and Communications Officer at IOM Port-of-Spain, Ms. Kandy Serrant, at kserrant@iom.int