JICA continues supports to fight human trafficking in Vietnam

• Japan supporting Vietnam to measure for vulnerabilities
• Japan and Vietnam cooperate in improving health insurance system
• Vietnam, Japan to strengthen ties on security cooperation

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Vietnam Office and Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) signed a Record of Discussion (R/D) of the Project for “Strengthening the Operation of Hotline for Counseling and Supporting Trafficked Survivors” (Project Phase II) in Hanoi.

In continuation and inheritance of the Project Phase I for “Establishment of Anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Hotline” (2012-2016) which has expanded the existing Child Help Hotline operated in Hanoi, An Giang and Ha Giang provinces to include a function as a hotline for anti-TIP, and strengthened the operation of the hotline, under the coming Project Phase II (2017-2020), the hotline connecting units in An Giang province and the newly established connecting unitin Da Nang city will be upgraded into higher level of regional callcenters, which, together with theexisting one in Hanoi, are expected to enhance the counseling on anti-human trafficking in the South, Center and North regions, and boost up the complete support for trafficked victims.

Specifically, the counselors of the centers will be under MOLISA’s management and training which would help to ensure the required expertise. Furthermore, the operation’s greater achievement is expected thanks to the nation-wide recognition of the Hotline number 18001567. This would enable high effectiveness of the project activities.

Since its operation in October 2013 to date, there have been nearly 10,000 calls to the Hotline 18001567, among which 232 calls were immediately referred to the Police for investigation andresulted in 92 rescued victims.

The R/D signing of theProject Phase II is considered the benchmark of JICA’s support towards the National Action Plan to combat trafficking in persons (TIP) of Vietnam. This is also a meaningful event on the occasion of 1

st anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day for Anti-TIP(July 30, 2016-July 30, 2017).