Location: Balti region
Situation:
Moldova is one of the principal countries in the world for human trafficking. There are about 60 000 victims, suffering from serious psychological health problems, and encountering difficulties with reintegration. But only a few are identified and taken care of. Doctors of the World (DOW) is working in the North, running a prevention programme and providing assistance to victims. With a very high inflation rate and a very low rate of investment, Moldova remains in a difficult economic position. The extreme poverty encourages mass emigration and increases the risks linked to human trafficking, particularly for women, victims of sexual exploitation. Most of these victims do not have access to any healthcare and suffer from serious problems: sexually transmitted infections, reproductive health problems, psychological or nervous problems and difficulties with reintegration.
Activities:
Three areas of focus have been developed. Firstly, DOW raises awareness of the phenomenon of human trafficking in schools and amongst vulnerable adolescents and organises a regional media campaign. In order to identify actual and potential victims, DOW trains medical and socio-educational professionals and works in rural areas, bringing help to very poor families, by way of two mobile teams, composed of a psychologist and a social worker, which provide psychological consultations. Finally, DoW supports a network of national and local partners to ensure the multidisciplinary care of victims (medical, psychological, social and legal assistance at home, help towards professionalisation and socio-economic reintegration). These actions are carried out in partnership with local organisations and the national referral system. DOW supports the Friends of Young People Health Centre (ATIS), run by the NGO Young People for the Right to Live (TDV). This support is for prevention and care for victims of trafficking through access to healthcare, welfare and legal services. The programme includes:
• Encouraging the long term sustainability of the ATIS centre by integrating it into the national health system;
• Promoting coordination between those involved at the regional and national levels;
• Participating in the working groups on prevention and protection, set up by the National Committee against Trafficking;
• Participating in national and international networks on prevention and advocacy.
Outlook:
In 2010 DOW will intensify its activities to take care of direct or indirect (close to those who have left) victims of trafficking. A campaign to lobby the national system will complete the programme.
