As part of its response to assist the Federal Government tackle the effect of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the European Union (EU) has donated personal protective equipment (PPE), food items and disinfection and hygiene products worth 18, 722, 000 to shelters operated by the national agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in persons (NAPTIP) and the network of CSOs against Child Tracking, abuse and labour (NACTAL), including some Libya and Lebanon returnees in Nigeria.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, who led a team for the exercise in Abuja said as European Union, we have fundamentally spent every working hour since the crisis broke out to look at what can be done to support Nigeria in the response to fight the Pandemic and how to translate it into reality.
He said, ” we must make sure that venerable victims of Human Trafficking in this particular situation are also cater for and we have look at what support we can provide for Nigeria and today a step is taken to help the venerable victims of Human Trafficking, we must not forget victims of rape and gender violence then in particular people living with disabilities who are living in difficult situation in Nigeria.
Also speaking, Institutional coordinator, the action against Trafficking in persons and snuggling of Migrants in Nigeria (A-TIPSOM), Mr Jose Antonio Nsang Andeme said the donation is part of the effort of the European Union in maintaining it’s humanitarian support to the most vulnerable people in Nigeria, through the A-TIPSOM project implemented by FIIAPP.
She said the action against Trafficking in persons and snuggling of Migrants in Nigeria began in 2018, through an agreement between the European Union and the Government of Nigeria, with the objective to reduce the Trafficking in persons and snuggling of Migrants at national, regional and international Level between Nigeria and the European Union, with specific emphasis in woman and children.
As Covid-19 pandemic is putting the world under enormous strain, affecting the lives of everyone, trafficked persons are among the most affected group of people, hence, service providers need adequate palliatives that will enhance the comfort of trafficked persons staying in shelters during this pandemic.
In response, NAPTIP DG, Dame Julie Okah-Donlie appreciated the EU Ambassador for their continuous support and partnership in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.
She assured that the items will be distributed judiciously for the purpose of which it is given, adding that NAPTIP look forward to more partnership and more projects in the future.
