Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, July 30, 2020 – Today is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. To mark this important day, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Safe Migration in Central Asia program, with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Turkmenistan, the USAID-funded Governance Support Program, International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the National Working Group on countering human trafficking in Turkmenistan is launching a “100 Days Against Human Trafficking” public awareness campaign.

The campaign launched today will continue through October 30, 2020 and will raise public awareness about the global issues of human trafficking and safe migration. The USAID Safe Migration in Central Asia program has developed an animated public service announcement in Russian and Turkmen languages on preventing trafficking and safeguarding the rights and well-being of vulnerable groups. The video explains how people can seek help if they fall victim to human trafficking. The video will be broadcasted on USAID/Central Asia and UNODC social media platforms. The campaign will include a quiz on the global scope of human trafficking and safe migration issues and will solicit commentary on the video announcement. The best commentary and the winners of the quiz will be recognized and get prizes.

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The USAID-funded Safe Migration in Central Asia program is being implemented by Winrock International in five Central Asian countries. It is a five-year program that uses evidence-based practices and cross-border connections to strengthen the mutual accountability and effectiveness of governments, NGOs, and the private sector to prevent trafficking in persons, protect survivors, and promote safe migration. The program works in close cooperation with local governments, civil society, and private sector to improve migration practices and prevent exploitation. More information is available on USAID Central Asia’s website: https://www.usaid.gov/central-asia-regional/fact-sheets/safe-migration-central-asia. USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. To know more, visit: https://www.usaid.gov/central-asia-regional.