July 30 is the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The evil of modern slavery affects an estimated 25 million people around the world: adults and children subjected to sexual exploitation or bound in domestic servitude; children forced to support armed groups; and victims trapped in forced labor in sectors such as fishing, construction, and agriculture. On this day, at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), we honor the resilience of survivors of trafficking who are courageously rebuilding their lives; we reaffirm our commitment to prevent criminals from exploiting people for profit; and we invite all to join the challenge to help end modern slavery.

Since 2001, USAID has invested more than $300 million in 71 countries to fight human trafficking, a top priority for the Agency. Later this year, we will launch a revised Policy on Countering Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP), which will incorporate a stronger survivor-led approach, and promote the more intentional integration of efforts to end modern slavery across development programs in other sectors such as education, health, and agriculture.

USAID recognizes that we cannot do this work alone. In partnership with survivors, other U.S. Government Departments and Agencies, national and municipal governments, civil-society organizations, members of the judiciary and law enforcement, faith leaders, and community-based organizations, we will work to protect victims around the world and eliminate the heinous crime of modern slavery.