INTRODUCTION 
In recent years, the situation of human trafficking in the world and in Vietnam has been increasing and becoming more sophisticated. Every year, 800,000 to 1,000,000 people worldwide are trafficked. Globally, about 2.5 million people are direct victims of human trafficking, mostly women and young girls.

The Vietnamese government has warned about human trafficking in Vietnam. According to media reports, human trafficking now occurs in all 64 provinces of Vietnam. Most of the victims are women and girls, but even men can be forced into sexual slavery and exploitation.  Unemployment and lack of education lead Vietnamese women and men to migrate abroad or to big cities in search of jobs.  Unaware of the dangers of human trafficking, they can be easily deceived and become victims.  Many victims are also seduced by their families or relatives, and sold abroad. Male children are a source of labor for fishing boat owners.  Victims are often forced to work, exploited and beaten.  Some even have their organs harvested. 

To confront the growing problem of human trafficking, Caritas Vietnam cooperates with member countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region – Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia, and with the support of Taiwan – and with local dioceses to carry out projects to prevent human trafficking.  The Caritas network of dioceses, religious congregations, schools, and especially local communities is key to raising people's awareness and preventing human trafficking.
The project has been implemented since 2015 and has undergone many stages, including the support of Caritas Asia in implementing the 2017-2018 phase to enhance communication capacity for Caritas dioceses in the Southern region and to raise community awareness.

GOAL
The purpose of the project is to minimize human trafficking in Vietnam by raising awareness.

BENIFICIARIES
The project is aimed to people at high risk of becoming victims of human trafficking, with special attention to young workers and economically disadvantaged people.

OBJECTIVES
•    Raising awareness of human trafficking for people through communication campaigns.
•    Linking with dioceses, religious orders and religious organizations to cooperate in building communication networks and raising awareness for people about prevention of human trafficking.
•    Building a team of sustainable volunteer communicators at the diocesan and parish levels through the Caritas network in the dioceses.

MAIN ACTIVITIES
•    Organize communication sessions in the community, sharing information through communication channels to raise people's awareness.
•    Organize talks, exchanges and seminars to invite and link with dioceses, religious orders and religious organizations.
•    Calling and cooperating with non-governmental organizations in the same interest.
•    Organize training courses to improve the capacity of volunteers and media members at all levels of Caritas dioceses.
•    Implement human trafficking prevention campaigns, responding to movements launched by Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Asia and Caritas Dioceses.

RESULTS
 From 2015 until now, in addition to cooperating, linking and sharing regular experiences with other countries in the group, we have cooperated with dioceses of Vinh Long, Long Xuyen, Can Tho, Hai Phong and Hung Hoa.  Communication sessions have been carried out with more than 6,000 participants, including young people, students, communities in parishes, and seminarians at religious congregations.  We have also conducted communication campaigns for the Vietnamese community in Cambodia. In addition, we organized training courses to improve the capacity of volunteers and media members in dioceses, such as Vinh Long, Ba Ria, Saigon, Long Xuyen and Can Tho. We also carry out and participate in campaigns, as the international day to prevent human trafficking, and in responding to the Call of Pope.

CALL FOR COOPERATION
Human trafficking prevention is a great challenge and requires multi-faceted collaboration. You can join us in contributing to raising awareness for your community, friends, relatives and yourself in preventing and reducing the risk of trafficking.

For further information, please contact:

Commission on Charity and Social Actions - Caritas Vietnam

Under the Catholic Bishop's Conference of Vietnam

Phone: +84 (028) 3727-1904

Email Caritas office: caritasvietnamccsa@gmail.com

Website: www.caritasvietnam.org