IOM, Koica ink deal

International Organization for Migration yesterday signed an  agreement with Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) to launch a  five-year project on capacity building and awareness-raising to combat  human trafficking in Bangladesh.

IOM, Bangladesh will partner with the Ministry of Home Affairs to implement the project, said an IOM press release.

The agreement was signed at IOM office in Dhaka by its chief of mission in Bangladesh Giorgi Gigauri and Koica Country Director Doh  Young Ah.

The project, "Koica-IOM Comprehensive Programme to Combat Human  Trafficking in Bangladesh", will aim to build the capacity of the  national criminal justice system to prosecute traffickers.

It will provide sustainable reintegration support to trafficking  victims and sensitise up to one million people to the risks of  trafficking and the importance of safe migration in trafficking-prone  areas including Dhaka, Jashore, Satkhira and Cox's Bazar.

Over five years, IOM and partners will assist up to 800 victims with  shelter and reintegration assistance to reduce their vulnerability and  empower survivors to attain self-sufficiency.

Human trafficking is a global phenomenon and a growing concern for Bangladesh, said Gigauri.

Vulnerable Bangladeshi children, women and men become victims of  human traffickers for different reasons, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, transactional marriage, child labour exploitation and  organ trade, he said.

Doh said the project is an ongoing commitment of Koica to work with  Bangladesh government to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals,  especially Goal-5 (gender equality) and Goal-16 (peace, justice and  strong institutions).

Approximately 4,700 human trafficking cases are awaiting prosecution in Bangladesh, according to the release.