US-backed initiative repatriates more than 120 trafficking survivors to Uzbekistan — Daryo News

More than 120 trafficking survivors were repatriated to Uzbekistan and received critical rehabilitation services, while 135 people received support to start their own businesses, the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan reported.

The Safe Migration in Central Asia (SMICA) project, supported by USAID and implemented by Winrock International, concluded its activities in Uzbekistan with commendable achievements in the areas of safe migration and prevention of human trafficking humans.

The regional initiative aimed to foster safe migration practices to combat human trafficking and encouraged collaborative efforts with regional governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector. These partnerships played a key role in achieving the project's objectives.

David Hoffman, USAID Mission Director in Uzbekistan, expressed his deep gratitude to all parties involved, including the Uzbek government, esteemed NGO partners and dedicated individuals whose contributions played a crucial role in the success of the project. He stressed the importance of continuing collaborative efforts to ensure a lasting impact on the well-being of individuals and communities in Uzbekistan.

Key project outcomes in Uzbekistan include regional collaboration, which fostered partnerships between Uzbekistan and Central Asian states. This collaboration resulted in the adoption of the Bukhara Declaration on Combating Human Trafficking, strengthening cross-border efforts to combat human trafficking.

Political support was another important achievement, with an expert assessment of Uzbekistan's draft law on external labor migration providing recommendations for its improvement to ensure protection of workers' rights. migrants.

Community outreach has played a crucial role in raising awareness and providing assistance. Comprehensive information campaigns have raised awareness of safe migration practices among more than 2 million people, and thousands of people have benefited from legal, psychological and reintegration assistance.

Training initiatives have been implemented to equip migrants and survivors with essential skills. Pre-departure training was provided to thousands of migrant workers, while survivors and migrants received valuable training in entrepreneurship and skills development. In addition, hoteliers and hotline operators have undergone specialized anti-trafficking training.

Innovative solutions such as information kiosks at airports and information and consultation centers in the regions have facilitated access to support services for migrants and survivors. These initiatives have collectively contributed to the project's success in promoting safe migration practices and combating human trafficking in Uzbekistan.

The success of the project was made possible thanks to the dedication and expertise of helpline operators, media professionals and CTIP practitioners, all of whom received specialist training to increase the impact of the project.

Illegal border crossings

Between October 2023 and May 2024, approximately 2,900 Uzbek nationals illegally crossed the US-Mexico border near San Diego. During the same period, a significant number of Chinese (30,000), Indian (8,900) and Turkish (7,800) citizens are also believed to have entered the region illegally.

Illegal immigration from Central Asia has seen a sharp increase, with an estimated 50,000 people entering the United States in 2023 alone. Concerns have been raised about potential links between some migrants and extremist organizations.

According to 2021 data from the Migration Policy Institute, the immigrant population in the United States stood at approximately 45.3 million, which represents a considerable share of the country's total population of approximately 331.9 million. The United States officially admits about one million migrants per year under its immigration policy.

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