UN wants to protect Ukrainian refugees from traffickers

Millions of refugees who have escaped the war in Ukraine become potential prey for traffickers of all kinds, so the UN wants to resolve it quickly to protect women, children and the most vulnerable groups.

In an interview with AFP, the head of operations of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), “We are taking the initiative because human trafficking was a problem in the past and we know the extent to which human traffickers know how to adapt to the situation to take advantage of it,” said Ugochi Daniels.

At the moment, his service has not been notified of the case that “it does not mean that it does not happen”, but he stressed, arguing, insisting on numerous people moving in “desperate searches for transportation.”

- Children-

From February 24, when Russian troops stormed the country, half of the 300 million people who took refuge in one of the countries bordering Ukraine are children. The UN warned that unaccompanied minors are particularly vulnerable.

Even before the conflict broke out, human trafficking was already a problem in Ukraine. In 2021 alone, IOM identified and helped thousands of victims of human trafficking.

The United Nations organization has stepped up equipment and services to help refugees who are in a hurry to leave their homes and carry little things.

Daniels emphasized that he is focused on providing practical and important information to those who are escaping the war. Who should be headed, what options they have, what coach lines are, what transport companies they trust, and so on.

Daniels said, “I've heard stories of people boarding people on the street and offering their own vehicles.” It is generally perceived as a gesture of solidarity, but it can actually be a pitfall. And so is the job vacancy.

However, the official pointed out that many refugees are fully aware of the risks. “Half of the questions asked through the information phone are related to human trafficking.”

- Discrimination? -

The IOM, which consists of 200 people in Ukraine and 100 collaborators from neighboring countries, also provides humanitarian assistance to refugees.

This institution is particularly focused on citizens of other countries who, under the influence of the conflict, do not have to have the same rights as Ukrainians in the host country, but were forced to leave Ukraine.

To date, the IOM has registered about 162,000 people and the United Nations has echoed a treatment designed for African countries or people in Asia.

However, Daniels pointed out that it seems to be an isolated case anyway. “We have not seen systematic discrimination.”

He also applauded international mobilization in the face of the largest exodus in Europe since World War II.

“There is no such thing as the generosity of government, oenegés, churches and citizens.” He said.