The United Kingdom has revealed that it has invested over £3.1 million (more than $4 million) in recent years to support efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling in North African countries.
According to the British Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, these funds were directed towards Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as part of the North Africa Cooperation on Migrant Smuggling and Human Trafficking (NACSAT) project.
In response to a written question from Conservative Member of Parliament James Cleverly, the British government confirmed that an additional £490,000 (more than $600,000) was allocated to train law enforcement officers and border officials in North Africa on identifying and responding to human trafficking and smuggling cases.
The British government emphasized that tackling illegal migration and organized crime remains a top priority, highlighting that North Africa is one of the least economically integrated regions in the world, with limited regional trade and minimal cooperation in addressing security threats.
London stressed that regional cooperation is the most effective approach to addressing cross-border challenges related to security and economic stability.
Through the UK's Joint North Africa Unit, the British government aims to influence and support other international partners who have larger investments in the region.
Additionally, the UK is supporting North Africa through the Regional Cooperation Fund (RCF), focusing on cross-border issues such as migration management, economic integration, and climate change adaptation.
By strengthening security measures and enhancing regional coordination, Britain aims to curb illegal migration routes that often lead to human trafficking networks and organized crime activities across the region.
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