On 22 July 2020, the Network of Civil Society against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), with the support from the European Union and ECOWAS Commission jointly-funded project, “Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa” (FMM West Africa), provided materials and equipment to  the Women Trafficking and Children Foundation to enhance the provision of care for rescued victims of trafficking in persons at one of their shelters in Abuja.

This activity is part of a project implemented by NACTAL titled, “‘Civil Society Actions to Combat Child Trafficking and Child Labour in Nigeria and Border Communities.” In April 2019, NACTAL and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the lead implementing agency for the FMM West Africa project, signed an agreement to implement the project in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the border towns of Idiroko – Seme in Nigeria and the Republic of Benin respectively.

The project carries out capacity-building activities with NACTAL and its member organizations on components of prevention and rescue of victims of human trafficking, rehabilitation and reintegration of human trafficking survivors. It also aims to enhance and promote collaboration between the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the public to maximize collaborative interventions to reduce the effects of trafficking in persons.

Shelter materials and equipment such as generators, mattresses, computers, televisions, solar lamps and furniture will also be given to four additional NACTAL supported shelters in Sokoto, Ondo Benin and Ibadan states in the subsequent weeks.

Prior to the provision of materials and equipment, an assessment of shelters supported by NACTAL member organizations was conducted. The assessment focused on the capacity of the shelters, the demographics of the victims supported by the shelters, facilities available and the number of personnel working at the shelters. Additionally, a training on psychosocial support for victims and case management was conducted in February in Abuja for NACTAL member organization and shelter personnel to further enhance their capacities.