Ukrainian NGOs Work to Halt Human Slavery
Over the last few years, counter-trafficking efforts in Ukraine have yielded significant results, including increasing assistance to those affected by this crime. Much of the secret behind the success of counter-trafficking programs in Ukraine can be attributed to experienced, motivated and active NGOs and other civil society organizations working to stop the human slave trade.
Halyna Kravets, Director of the Revival of the Nation NGO in Ternopil, Ukraine, began to cooperate with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) after a girl from her town was kidnapped from a train on her way home from a job in Greece and forced into prostitution.
“The girl managed to escape and was returned to Ternopil,” stated Kravets. “Her father then came to us for help with reintegration, and we didn’t know what to do. So we got in touch with IOM.”
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Halyna Kravets receives a Civil Society Award from Minister of Family, Youth and
Sports’ Yuriy Pavlenko at the 2005 IOM Annual Awards Ceremony
Photo: IOM |
That marked the beginning of a fruitful relationship that has matured over the years and culminated with Ms. Kravets receiving a Civil Society Award at the IOM Annual Awards Ceremony in 2005.
During the last five years, IOM has expanded its civil society partner network from 15 organizations to more than 70 groups. Together with USAID, IOM has allocated over $1.5 million towards activities implemented by civil society organizations. As a result of the close cooperation between IOM, partner NGOs and government law-enforcement agencies, nearly 90% of victims of trafficking are detected and assisted through grassroots NGO referral and identification systems. To sustain counter-trafficking initiatives, it is crucial to build upon existing measures and further expand civil society support.
To date, IOM has provided hundreds of trainings and exchanges with its partner NGOs, thanks to USAID financial support, covering topics ranging from psychological burnout and effective counseling to business accounting training. It also provides training for NGO staff on how to sustain and enhance NGO capacity.
“One of the best parts about working with IOM is the ongoing learning,” revealed Kravets. “There are many interesting trainings and IOM organizes events that give us the opportunity to exchange ideas and best practices with other NGOs, and even with government bodies.”
IOM and its partner NGOs have also initiated several national and regional public awareness counter-trafficking campaigns, provided legal consultations through informational hotlines, and developed an effective referral and monitoring system to facilitate the sustainable and safe reintegration of victims of trafficking. In Ukraine, the vast majority of beneficiaries assisted by IOM and its partner NGOs have managed to create a future for themselves at home; only 2 percent return abroad.
In their joint efforts, IOM, USAID and partner NGOs have developed a symbiotic relationship. On one hand, IOM and USAID are able to provide financial assistance, training and network coordination. On the other hand, the partner NGOs are able to mature institutionally and receive opportunities to share innovative ideas with IOM that are often turned into projects or best practices.
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