USAID supports Albania’s efforts to eliminate human trafficking

TIRANA, Sep 16 – Albania held a conference on the human traffic, labor and sexual exploitation issue.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) program, The Albanian Initiative: Coordinated Action Against Human Trafficking (CAAHT), convened its fifth and final national conference to review what the CAAHT program and partners achieved together over the life of this six-year, $7.5 million USAID anti-trafficking program.
Through the USAID CAAHT program: over 740 victims of trafficking received assistance and re-integration services; more than 2,800 vulnerable women and children received prevention services; over 59,800 people participated in awareness raising activities; almost 400 government and 500 civil society representatives cooperated in CAAHT coordination, and; over 2,100 government and 210 civil society actors were trained in anti-trafficking and management skills.
Besides top government officials and representativeness of the judicial institutions, there were also US diplomats in the country.
USAID Albania Mission Director Roberta Mahoney said that it is the responsibility of individuals, of society, and of government to ensure that the rights, freedoms, and dignity of all people are protected and championed.
She said she had met and spoken with victimsطomen, girls and boys who have suffered the cruelty and violence of human trafficking.
Albania is among those nations that now have criminal legislation, and Government commitment to, prohibiting all forms of trafficking of human beings.
Yet much remains to be done, particularly in identifying and addressing the root causes of trafficking, including policies and practices that contribute to, support, or facilitate trafficking of vulnerable populations, she said.
By recognizing America’s own struggle with trafficking, we offer partnership in resolving the problem, she added.
Mahoney said that over just the last few years, the US has invested over $10 million with local governments and civil society to improve Albania’s ability to prevent human trafficking, reintegrate victims, and increase prosecution of traffickers.
She acknowledged that much has been achieved.
There is also an Albanian Initiative: Coordinated Action Against Human Trafficking (CAAHT) program.
Mahoney said that combating human trafficking is no longer seen as the exclusive responsibility of law enforcement and prosecutors but everyone plays an important role.
She added that there are also officials and citizens from many different sectors who have become involved in anti-trafficking efforts.
She also mentioned the strong, cooperative relationships between government and civil society, coordinated case support for vulnerable people and reintegrated victims, that school students are learning about the threats of human trafficking and developing skills to protect themselves and help their peers.
However, these efforts still need to be strengthened and to become part of the fiber of society, she said.
In the coming months and years, the success of Albania’s efforts to fight trafficking נto prevent trafficking of women and children, protect victims, and successfully prosecute traffickers נwill be a barometer on government effectiveness in many sectors, including the rule of law and fight against corruption, social protections, border controls, and international cooperation.
Also needed is an allocation of adequate human and financial resources which are essential to supporting Albania’s resolve and commitment to this issue.
She pledged further US government support.
“Integration into the European Union, visa-free travel, improved foreign investment, all of these priorities are within Albania’s reach, but they cannot be achieved without the continued, concerted efforts by the Government and civil society to combat these serious crimes,” she said.
She called on everyone, “ƴo remain vigilant, to watch for and to combat trafficking in our daily lives.”