Nearly USD 210,000 (1.7 million rands) has been donated to IOM by
South Africa's 1st for Women Insurance towards its programme to
help victims of human trafficking in the country.

The money will be used to provide direct assistance to
trafficking victims and to help boost the capacities of shelters
that are working with IOM to protect the victims.

"1st for Women has a Trust that clients contribute to each month
when they pay their premiums," explained 1st for Women Managing
Director, Robyn Farrell. "We have a poll on our website where we
ask clients which causes they want the Trust to support, and
trafficking is always high on that list."  

IOM has been working with government and partners in civil
society in South Africa over the past few years to address human
trafficking comprehensively with the aim of achieving sustainable
results, particularly where the protection of victims is concerned.
IOM's work includes awareness-raising to prevent trafficking,
capacity building of government and civil society in addressing the
issue, and direct assistance to victims of trafficking.  
The latter includes the provision of shelter, 'dignified packages'
of essential items, medical and psychological support, legal
assistance when needed and return and reintegration.

To date, IOM has assisted 293 victims, trafficked within and to
South Africa for sexual and labour exploitation.  In a recent
study IOM found key links between vulnerability to trafficking and
the origin areas in the country, in particular Limpopo, Mpumalanga
and Eastern Cape. 

Much-needed awareness has been brought to the issue through
partnerships with the media including Primedia Broadcasting which
owns two major radio stations in South Africa and whose CEO, Terry
Volkwyn, personally worked towards setting up a partnership between
IOM and 94.7 Highveld Stereo and Talk Radio 702. As well as
extensively covering the issue on their shows, both stations
disseminate the IOM toll-free helpline on air and through their
websites.

For more information, please contact:

Mariam Khokhar

IOM South Africa

Tel: (+27)12 342 2789/79 501 7854

E-mail: "mailto:mkhokhar@iom.int">mkhokhar@iom.int