Memorandum of Understanding for Combating Trafficking

Brief Description

In order to strengthen the cooperation and to identify the vulnerable categories of persons, including victims of trafficking, in 2018 a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy was concluded. The Memorandum provides the legal basis for the establishment of Mobile Teams-for the identification of vulnerable categories of persons, including victims of trafficking in human beings. In the period March-December 2018, the mobile teams initially contacted, informed and assisted 390 beneficiaries (362 nationals and 28 international), out of which 9 victims of trafficking, 104 potential victims of trafficking, and 277 vulnerable categories. Out of the total number of assisted 169 were men (43 per cent) and 221 women (57 per cent). The number of identified victims all women, is almost 5 times more in comparison to 2017. According the age, 7 out of 9 victims were children below 18 years (77.7 per cent) while 2 were aged 19-30 years, while from the potential 81 (78 per cent) where below 18 years of age, while 23 (22 per cent) were aged between 19- >51 years. From the vulnerable categories 156 (56 per cent) where below 18 years of age, while 121(44 per cent) were aged between 19 – above 51 years. In addition, out of the total number of identified and supported victims and potential victims40 (9 victims and 31 potential victims) have been directly assisted through the established Direct Assistance Fund, with majority of them being women. The assistance for the beneficiaries included medical support (psychological, psychiatric, hospitalization, dental and medicines), education (online courses and vocational training courses), purchase of food (weekly or monthly needs), hygienic items (weekly or monthly needs), clothes and therapeutic assistance.