The government of Liberia has collaborated with the International Organization for Migration with support from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to provide food and Non-food items to victims involved in human trafficking.
This initiative aligns with the implementation of the ECOWAS Regional Policy on Protection and Assistance to Victims of trafficking of Persons in West Africa.
Speaking during the donation ceremony, the Acting Director of the Trafficking In Person Secretariat, Mr. Nuho Kenneh explained that with the support of ECOWAS and IOM, the government was able to donate items including; rice, vegetable oil, frozen meat, bathing and washing soap, mattresses, pillows and bedsheets among others to the safe home.
Kenneh further emphasized the government’s commitment to combatting human trafficking by working closely with both local and international partners. He stated that the government will ensure that assistance is provided to victims during their recovery process.
He also encouraged the Executive Director to ensure the proper use of the items for the benefit of the victims.
Upon receiving the items, the Executive Director of the safe home, Evangeline Sirleaf, used the occasion to express appreciation to the Government of Liberia, ECOWAS, and IOM for their support in assisting victims of trafficking and other victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
“These items will not only benefit victims of trafficking but all the victims in the safe home,” she added.
For his part, IOM Trafficking in Person focal point, Tamba Siaffa, thanked the government for its continued support and reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to collaborating with the government and other stakeholders in the fight against trafficking in Liberia.
To conclude, he further expressed appreciation to ECOWAS for the initiative and for entrusting IOM with the management of the project grant.
