The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), released a human trafficking awareness leaflet jointly with the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Welfare. Following the April 25 earthquake, the U.S. funded Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) program is responding to concerns over the increased vulnerability of children and women to trafficking.

USAID added $450,000 in funding to expand the CTIP program to six additional earthquake-affected districts that have an increased risk of gender-based violence (GBV), unsafe migration, and human trafficking.   The program focuses on community rehabilitation through psychosocial support, increased awareness of human trafficking and GBV, promotion of economic opportunities to help victims rebuild their lives, provision of legal support, and increased access to rehabilitation resources from the Nepali government.

The awareness leaflet explains how to reduce the risks and vulnerabilities that contribute to trafficking and unsafe migration. The leaflet provides information on how girls and children can be lured into trafficking through promises of protection, education, economic opportunities, and marriage.  The leaflet also highlights the role of parents, children, and society in minimizing trafficking.

Ambassador Peter W. Bodde stated that “The Combating Trafficking in Persons program began in 2010 to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts in the country, and we count on close collaboration with the Government of Nepal.  Implemented by The Asia Foundation in partnership with other civil society partners, the program addresses prevention, protection and prosecution.”

The jointly-released CTIP leaflet is being disseminated in fourteen earthquake affected districts and other trafficking-prone districts.