BD, IOM launch project to fight cyber-enabled trafficking

Bangladesh and the International Organization for Migration (IOM-UN Migration) have launched a 24-month project to strengthen efforts to prevent and respond to human trafficking facilitated through digital technologies.

The agreement was signed between the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance and IOM Bangladesh under the project titled “Countering Cyber-Enabled Human Trafficking Through Technology”.

Funded by the IOM Development Fund, the project will be implemented by IOM Bangladesh in partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The initiative comes amid growing concerns over traffickers using social media, online platforms, job portals and other digital technologies to target, recruit, control and exploit people.

The project will focus on three key areas: building evidence and knowledge, strengthening law enforcement capacity, and improving digital literacy in communities.

Its findings and training resources are expected to support longer-term policy and programme development while strengthening existing national and inter-agency efforts to combat human trafficking.
The agreement was signed by Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division, and Laura Tomm Bonde, Chief of Mission of IOM Bangladesh.

A K M Sohel, Additional Secretary and Wing Chief of the UN Wing at ERD, and representatives of relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and IOM, were also present.
“Technology is transforming the way people communicate, seek employment and connect with opportunities, but it can also be exploited by traffickers,” Laura Tomm Bonde said.