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The centre's objectives are to provide accurate and up-to-date information to potential migrants on employment realities abroad; to warn potential migrants of the pitfalls of irregular migration and to tell them of their rights, and to inform Moldovans abroad of investment opportunities which might exist at home through the use of remittances
"With the creation of this centre, we hope to build a bridge between the public demand for facts on migration and the official supply of such information with the ultimate aim of reducing irregular migration through well informed actions," said Martin Andreas Wyss, IOM's chief of mission in Moldova.
The centre is funded by the Dutch government and is operated in partnership with Moldova's National Migration Bureau.
It is closely linked to a national toll-free Hotline (0-800-77777), run by IOM's partner NGO La Strada, which provides information on the dangers of human trafficking.
As part of this initiative, IOM Chisinau and the Moldovan Migration Bureau have launched a website, www.migratie.md, which contains basic facts on the conditions of legal stay, work or study in the main destination countries of Moldovan migrants. These include Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Canada, Romania, Germany, Greece, Spain, Hungary, USA, UK, France and Russia.
In Turkey, authorities are distributing small handouts, or passport inserts, to travelers entering the country at key border crossings. The passport inserts publicize the 157 number and include warning signs of trafficking. Billboards and other advertising are also included in the campaign.
Today's announcement is in the framework of the Turkish-government coordinated and IOM-implemented campaign to combat human trafficking. The campaign includes increased public awareness activities, stepped up training for law enforcement and medical, psychological and direct assistance to trafficked individuals. The $700,000 USD project is funded by the U.S. Government with co-funding from the Turkish government. Major support for IOM counter-trafficking programs is also provided by the Italian and Swedish governments.
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