Somalia - IOM, with support from the European Union, and the Japanese Government, has organized three social mobilization and information campaigns targeting vulnerable populations at risk of human trafficking in Garowe, Galkayo and Bossaso.

Puntland is a transit point for vulnerable migrants and the social mobilization campaigns focused on raising awareness about in vulnerable populations on child trafficking, how to detect it and where to report potential or actual cases.

During the campaign - spearheaded by IOM’s implementing partner TASS, the Puntland Counter Trafficking Board (PCTB) and the Child Protection Working Group (CPWG) - approximately 40,000 people were reached through radio, TV and community mobilization events.

In July, prior to the information campaign, TASS conducted a training for PCTB and CPWG members on information campaigns, types of information to be shared during the  campaigns, outreach goals, and the importance of local vigilance committees, who provide local surveillance and identification of trafficking victims.

The CPWG comprises NGOs implementing activities in child protection, while the PCTB is comprised of officials from relevant ministries engaged in facilitating human trafficking activities in Puntland. Government line ministries represented at the training included the Ministry of Women and Development Affairs, Ministry of Security, Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration, Ministry of Labour and Youth and the Attorney General’s Office.

Leaflets and posters developed by TASS, the community and IOM, were distributed during the campaign at ports of entry, schools, mosques and in markets in Garowe, Bossaso and Galkayo.

The information in the materials included a police hotline number, messages to encourage the community to migrate safely through regular channels, and warning messages to vulnerable populations against being deceived, trafficked and exploited by traffickers.

Further to awareness creation campaigns, IOM has spearheaded the establishment of a victim referral mechanism consisting of members of the PCTB and CPWG. This mechanism helps to provide a coordinated and systematic response for the care, support and protection of trafficked children.

IOM Somalia Chief of Mission Gerard Waite said: “Social mobilization and awareness campaigns should complement programs aimed towards the creation of sustainable livelihoods, employment opportunities, up to standard educational facilities and development of comprehensive reintegration plans for trafficked victims.”

For further information, please contact Julia Hartlieb at IOM Somalia, Tel: 00 254 731 988 846, Email: jhartlieb@iom.int