UN wants to protect Ukrainian refugees from human traffickers

Millions of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine are potential prey for traffickers of all kinds, which is why the UN wants to address these issues quickly to protect women, children, and the most vulnerable.

“We are taking the lead because human trafficking has been a problem in the past and because we know how far human traffickers can adapt to the environment to take advantage of the situation,” said Ugochi Daniels, operations manager for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), told AFP in an interview with AFP.

He stressed that while his services were not informed of any cases at the time, “that doesn't mean things didn't happen,” insisting that a large number of people migrating were “desperate for transportation.”

-children-

Since Russian troops stormed Ukraine on February 24, half of the 3 million people who have sought refuge in one of the countries bordering Ukraine have been children. The UN warns that unaccompanied minors are particularly at risk.

Human trafficking was a problem in Ukraine even before the conflict. In 2021 alone, the International Organization for Migration identified and helped thousands of victims of human trafficking.

To help these refugees, who often leave their homes in a hurry, carry very few items with them, and United Nations agencies have stepped up equipment and services.

Daniels emphasized that they focus on providing those fleeing the war with practical and important information: who to contact, what options they have, what bus routes are there, which transport companies they trust.

“We've heard stories of people boarding planes on the road and providing them with their own vehicles,” Daniels said. It is often seen as a gesture of solidarity, but in reality it can become a trap. The same goes for vacancies.

However, the official pointed out that many refugees were fully aware of the danger. “Half of the questions raised during our briefing session relate to human trafficking.”

- Discrimination? -

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), which has a team of 200 people in Ukraine and 100 employees in neighboring countries, also provides humanitarian aid to displaced persons.

The agency paid particular attention to citizens of other conflict-affected countries who had to leave Ukraine, although they did not necessarily have the same rights as Ukrainians in the host country.

To date, the International Organization for Migration has registered about 162,000 people, and the UN has responded to the treatment that is reserved for people in Africa or Asia.

However, Daniels said that they seemed to be isolated cases anyway: “We don't see systematic discrimination. ”

He also praised international mobilization in the face of Europe's biggest population curse since World War II.

“There is nothing better than the generosity of the government, the Önegés, the churches and the citizens,” he said.

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