The United State Agency for International Development (USAID) Laos Counter Trafficking in Person Project (Laos CTIP Project) in cooperation with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism held a ceremony to launch Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials on human trafficking in the tourism sector in Vientiane on Mar 3.
The IEC materials were developed to support the Lao government’s efforts to combat human trafficking with funding from USAID.
These materials will raise awareness among vulnerable groups and potential victims of human trafficking.
Posters, brochures and banners will provide information on how to prevent child sex tourism, where to report suspected cases, and how to avoid becoming a victim to a wide range of audiences, including tourism service providers.
Mr Bualay Phanouvong, Chief of Cabinet of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and Mr. Michael Ronning , USAID Country Representative to the Lao PDR, opened the ceremony together with more than 100 participants from the government, tourism sector stakeholders, and relevant implementing partners.
Mr Michael Ronning commended the government of Laos’ initiative to prioritize CTIP prevention stating, “Ending human trafficking is a priority for the Lao PDR and the United State.
As part of our U.S-Lao Comprehensive Partnership, we are proud to support Laos’ continued progress on CTIP, as part of meeting its 9th NSEDP and sustainable development goads.
These IEC materials will be distributed to six target provinces of the USAID Laos CTIP project, specially Vientiane, Savannakhet, Champassak, Saravan, Luang Namtha and Oudomxay through a variety of channels, including tourism sites and service providers, international cross-borders and hubs of transport, in collaboration with service providers, the private sector, and schools.
The United State works with its local partners to advance the Lao government’s response to human trafficking cases, reduce the vulnerability of women, children and marginalized people to trafficking and improve trafficked victims’ access to services and safe economic opportunities.
Source: Lao News Agency