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IOM Moldova today announced a new program to distribute counter-trafficking informational inserts at Moldovan border crossings; the inserts provide information on the danger signs of trafficking and where and how to ask for assistance in case of trouble.
The one-page inserts in Russian and Romanian outline a series of questions about potential trafficking situations and, depending on the answers, suggest an immediate call to the national toll-free Hotline (0-800-77777) operated by La Strada or request for assistance from border guards.
"The Moldovan border is the last line of defense in the fight against human trafficking,"
said Marielle Sander-Lindstrom, Chief of IOM, Moldova. "IOM with funding from the European Union has launched this program to alert anyone who leaves Moldova to the danger signs of trafficking."
Inserts are being distributed at three international crossing points on the Romania-Moldova border: Leuseni, Ungheni and Sculeni. IOM plans to expand the program to other border crossings later this year. The program is being implemented in close cooperation with the Moldovan Border Guard Troops Department (BGTD).
"In accordance with the National plan of actions to combat trafficking in persons, BGTD takes part in National Counter-Trafficking Information Campaign, performed by IOM in Moldova," said Major Vitalii Fortuna, acting Head of Border Control Management at the BGTD. "We hope this action will be a successful one and will extend to all the international check points."
The program to distribute informational inserts into passports is part of IOM's "Better Border Initiative," launched by IOM and the Border Guards Department in early 2004. This initiative includes the separate 1.1 million Euro "Enhancing Border Management" border management program funded by the European Union with the U.S. Government.
IOM's "Better Border Initiative" is aimed at improving and strengthening management of the estimated 7 million border crossings annually, leading to stepped up prevention of illegal crossings and more efficient management of legal migration.
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