The United States government has injected $750 000 towards fighting human trafficking in Zimbabwe through various initiatives.
BY TINOTENDA MUNYUKWI
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Harare on Monday, US ambassador to Zimbabwe Harry Thomas Jr, said the money was raised through the Department of State’s Office to monitor and combat trafficking in persons.
“It is a top priority of the United States to eradicate this global scourge in the 21st century. This important work of protecting those in our society who have become the targets of exploitation is fundamental to any larger strategy aimed at stamping out the scourge that is human trafficking,” he said.
The support came in the aftermath of a human trafficking scourge in 2016 that witnessed over 200 job-seeking Zimbabwean women being lured to Kuwait, were they were exposed to various abuses before government intervened and facilitated their repatriation.
Social welfare director in the Labour and Social Welfare ministry, Tuso Mapala said the government was in the process of establishing centres in all provinces to rehabilitate victims of trafficking according to government’s mandate.
“Under the protection pillar, the ministry had the mandate to provide protection services for the victims of human trafficking as they are rendered vulnerable,” he said.
Government has also initiated a staff training programme to combat trafficking and provide psycho-social support to the victims.
