Russia invades Ukraine, leaving women and children and great risk of Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking a global and widespread crime, whereby criminals steal a person’s freedom for profit. It is a grave violation on a person’s human rights and egregious assault on the victim.

The criminals behind this highly profitable business seize the opportunity created by the need or desire of people to escape not just poverty and lack of employment opportunities but also natural disaster, conflict, or persecution. These organised networks / individuals behind these lucrative crimes take advantage of people’s vulnerability and desperation. This includes female perpetrators who procures women and children for profit.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Ukrainians Refugees are at high risk of exploitation.

During a crisis when a country is faced with such disastrous conflict, and most of their infrastructure is destroyed and limited access to basic living services, people have no choice but to seek refuge in other countries.

According to the UN Refugee Agency, 90% of the 3.6 million people who have fled Ukraine, are women and children. These women and children are targeted at the borders by individuals and gangs.

UNICEF stated that more than half of the country’s estimated child population of 7.5 million, 4.3 million of Ukraine’s children have been displaced. https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1114592).

Polish army along with Police and Firefighters have been placed on the border at Medyka, Poland’s busiest crossing with Ukraine, to assist the thousands of refugees arriving daily. They have identified criminals who pretend to offer help to the extremely exhausted refugees. (Source – The Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/mar/24/vigilantes-stalk-ukraine-border-as-sex-traffickers-target-fleeing-women-and-children.

We at Hope to Heal Foundation cannot fulfil our mission by providing services for victims’ and survivors of Human Trafficking and conducting ongoing research, without the support of the public at large. Your support is greatly needed to cover our expenses.