Caritas launched the next phase of the Anti-human trafficking program

The next phase of the Anti-human trafficking program was launched on 18th March, 2022 at Don Bosco Institute, Joypur Kharghuli Guwahati for Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The entire Caritas I̤n̤d̤i̤a̤’̤s̤ m̤a̤n̤a̤g̤e̤m̤e̤n̤t̤ Fr. (D̤r.) P̤a̤ṳl̤ M̤o̤o̤n̤j̤e̤l̤y̤,̤ E̤x̤e̤c̤ṳt̤i̤v̤e̤ D̤i̤r̤e̤c̤t̤o̤r̤,̤ Fr. (D̤r̤.̤) J̤o̤l̤l̤y̤ P̤ṳt̤h̤e̤n̤p̤ṳr̤a̤,̤ A̤s̤s̤i̤s̤t̤ant E̤x̤e̤c̤ṳt̤i̤v̤e̤ D̤i̤r̤e̤c̤t̤o̤r̤,̤ F̤r̤.̤S̤ṳs̤h̤i̤l̤ M̤o̤d̤i̤,̤ A̤d̤m̤i̤n̤i̤s̤t̤r̤a̤t̤o̤r̤, C̤a̤r̤i̤t̤a̤s̤ S̤taff a̤n̤d̤ An̤t̤i̤ Hṳm̤a̤n̤ T̤r̤a̤f̤f̤i̤c̤k̤i̤n̤g̤ i̤m̤p̤l̤e̤m̤e̤n̤t̤i̤n̤g̤ partners were present for this̤ p̤r̤o̤g̤r̤a̤m̤ launching. Around 150 members across the nation participated in this event.

The launch was graced by Most Rev. John Moolachira, Archbishop of Guwahati Archdiocese and the Chairman of Northeast Diocesan Social Service Society (NEDSSS) & President of Northeast India Regional Bishop’s conference (NEIRBC).̤ Most Rev. J. Moolachira appreciated the initiative in combating the menace of human trafficking in the Northeast as the region have been facing the cruelty of human slavery due to various drawbacks in meeting basic survival requirements.

Caritas India through her five implementing satellite wings have been striving for since last 3 years that was initiated in October 2018 and have entered the̤ 4t̤h̤ p̤h̤a̤s̤e̤.̤ The implementing organizations namely Seva Kendra Silchar, Seva Kendra Dibrugarh, Purvanchal Pragati S̤a̤m̤a̤j/̤I̤t̤a̤n̤a̤g̤a̤r̤ D̤i̤o̤c̤e̤s̤a̤n̤ E̤m̤p̤o̤w̤e̤r̤m̤e̤n̤t̤ A̤s̤s̤o̤c̤i̤a̤t̤i̤o̤n̤, NEDAN Foundation and Centre for Development Initiatives and Northeast Diocesan Social Service Society (NEDSSS) would be the active partners for this program.̤

N̤E̤D̤S̤S̤S̤ have been added in the fourth phase for coordinating at the Regional level with various faith-based and school principals for dialogue and collaboration towards the cause of reducing this inhumane act. The program focuses on creating a̤w̤a̤r̤e̤n̤e̤s̤s̤ towards pr̤e̤v̤e̤n̤t̤i̤o̤n̤,̤ p̤r̤o̤t̤e̤c̤t̤i̤o̤n̤ and̤ p̤a̤r̤t̤n̤e̤r̤s̤h̤i̤p̤ in 75 villages of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh with total seven districts: five in Assam and two in Arunachal Pradesh.

The launch concluded with reinforcing the need to work and build sturdier n̤e̤t̤w̤o̤r̤k̤ a̤n̤d̤ collaborative action at various levels, yet major focus will be on networking at the District and State level with the existing government machineries and law enforcement agencies.

On the same day, an input session was on SOPs of rescue with scene play and suitable examples from the past learning.

The input session was facilitated by Dr. Digambar Narzary, the Chairperson cum Director of NEDAN Foundation. The implementing partners had program orientation on the following day with setting the DIPs of phase IV.

Soon after the program launch, Caritas India team headed by the Assistant Executive Director Fr. (D̤r̤.̤) J̤o̤l̤l̤y̤ P̤ṳt̤h̤e̤n̤p̤ṳr̤a̤, Ms Leeza, Anti-human trafficking (AHT) & Migration Lead, along with the Northeast AHT program associate visited Seva Kendra Silchar –AHT Project Vicinities from 20-21 March 2022 to witness the field level initiatives of Seva Kendra Silchar partner. Community members exhibited gratitude for running the program in the last three years’ time and hoping for a paradigm shift while accompanying another 15 months.

Community members expressed that earlier they are filled with fear to raise their voice for their rights but after this program, they can raise and stand up for their rights. They have gained knowledge and are much more aware of their rights. The Community also sought Caritas to constantly support in the years to come.