World Vision Collaborates to Address Trafficking.

Irrespective of the risks of human trafficking, vulnerable poor people form Myanmar embarks on a journey to neighbouring countries, hoping for better future. The desire to earn enouch money to support their families outweigh the risks and on many instances ends up in experiences of exploitation, dangerous working conditions, excessive working hours, forced marriage and prostitution.

World Vision looks to prevent trafficking and protect the returnees, in collaboration with Central Body of Suppression of Trafficking in Person (CBTIP) and other development actors. Thus, Survival Gathering for 2017 was held on 9th June 2017 at Horizon Hotel, Nay Pyi Taw.

Total 34 survivors from 6 different Regions (Yangon, Mandalay, Shan, Delta, Mon and Bago) gathered and shared their experience of being trafficked, living and working in poor conditions and how they were rescued and returned.

“I’m glad to participate in this gathering as I can share my experience and also learn from others. I also now know where to get the required assistances. By raising our voices, we can see the improvements such as watch groups in the communities, hotline numbers to report cases, better procedure in obtaining National Registration Card and support in the Criminal Justice process”, says Htwe Htwe, a trafficked survivor.

“this is the 9th survivor gathering event organized by World Vision Myanmar (WVM). Since 2009 WVM has collaborated with Central Body for Suppression of Trafficking in Persons (CBTIP) and Human Trafficking Working Group to arrange these events. We seek feedback from the survivors, hear their concerns and present to the government and service providers” added Khin Myo Thant, Project Manager of World Vision Myanmar.

World Vision Myanmar works with women, youth and children, to protect them from the risks of exploitation from trafficking. In collaboration with local organizations and CBTIP, World Vision Myanmar also assists the treturnees in the criminal justice process when they submit their cases for legal action against the perpetrators.

“We are advocating for faster and effective legal process for trafficked survivors. Along the way, we also build the capacities of women, youth and children with protective behavoiors that could keep them safe in case they decide to work in another country,” said Suresh Bartlett, National Director of World Vision Myanmar.

World Vision Myanmar will continue to focus on this scourge to ensure adequate protections for the most vulnerable poor in Myanmar.