BY LORETTA B MANELE

The United States is funding the “Strengthening Shelter and Protection Services for Victims of Trafficking in Solomon Islands” project worth USD 2.5m through the US Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Speaking at the launch of the project at Heritage Park Hotel last Friday, Daniel O’Hara, Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge’ d’Affaires from the US Embassy in Solomon Islands, spoke about the importance of the project and how it will be rolled out.

He said the project, funded by US taxpayers, through the IOM (International Organisation for Migration), office in Solomon Islands will help address the first priority recommendation for Solomon Islands in last year’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report.

O’Hara said this report is the United States global assessment of government anti-trafficking efforts, conducted annually for all countries, including the United States.

He said the first recommendation for Solomon Islands in the 2025 report urges an increase in protection services, including shelter for all trafficking victims and survivors.

O’Hara said addressing this priority recommendation is important to help Solomon Islands become more self-resilient when it comes to addressing crimes that pose serious safety and security risks to its citizens.

“Today, we officially launch a targeted application of U.S. foreign assistance that will support a project which ties the analysis of the annual report with realities on the ground to spur tangible progress to combat human trafficking linked to things like illegal business activities and criminal organizations, and most importantly, increases Solomon Islands’ self-reliance and ability to tackle those challenges ultimately with its own resources,” he said.

O’Hara said through the project, Solomon Islands will be provided with tools to protect its citizens and workers of other nationalities from devastating human costs that often accompany transnational criminal activities and illegal or under-regulated business activities in fishing, logging, and mining, among other sectors.

He said IOM will take a survivor-centered approach to strengthen Solomon Islands’ capacity to provide comprehensive care.

“By linking government authorities and civil society organizations, this project creates a foundation for lasting improvements in victim protection that increase Solomon Islands’ capacity to address the needs of all its citizens.

“Every survivor, regardless of sex, age, or type of trafficking experience, will be able to access the safe shelter and protection services they need,” said O’Hara.

He commended IOM for taking the lead in this work to ensure that every trafficking survivor in Solomon Islands can access specialised support essential to their own personal recovery.

O’Hara also commended the national government for taking steps to increase its own capacity to address the ills of human trafficking.

“…. while continuing to seek ways to increase its efforts to prevent the transnational criminal organizations and illegal business activities that not only increase human trafficking risks, but more broadly threaten the safety and prosperity of the citizens of Solomon Islands, the United States, and others across the region,” he said.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]