Ukraine-Russia Conflict: IOM Expresses Concerns over Displaced Refugees

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) extended its deep concerns over the situations of the immigrants who are trying to get out of Ukraine, noting that the international community should be worried about any potential risks for trafficking on them.

The refugees have started to move into different places across Europe, but concern grows over a possible increase in violence and abuse against women and children living in miserable conditions with no prospect of getting back to ordinary life, an IOM representative told Sada El Bald English (SEE).

"We have mounted a massive humanitarian relief operation to assist some of those evacuees."

In a recent report, IOM said it is worried about the risk of human trafficking as well as sexual exploitation and abuse in Ukraine and the region as the number of vulnerable people fleeing the war continues to rise.

The latest report mentioned that the deteriorating humanitarian situation and complex movements correlate with an increase in threats to personal safety, putting people on the move at a heightened risk of exploitation.

While cases of human trafficking are less likely to be identified in the immediate aftermath of mass displacement, initial reports from within and outside of Ukraine indicate the potential for traffickers to exploit the vulnerabilities of those fleeing the war.

Instances of sexual violence have already been reported, and among the inpiduals promising onward transportation or services, there have been indications of potential exploitation.

According to IOM, inpiduals and community members providing transportation and accommodation assistance should do so in coordination with local protection agencies and should facilitate registration and share contact details, transportation routes, and accommodation locations to enable appropriate oversight and safeguarding.

“IOM reports show that people fleeing Ukraine are predominately from single-headed households including women, children and older persons – some of whom are unaccompanied and separated –and third-country nationals,” IOM Director General António Vitorino said.

“These groups can be especially vulnerable to the risk of trafficking as they leave their homes unexpectedly and might have their usual family networks and financial security seriously disrupted.”

Last year, IOM in Ukraine identified and assisted over 1,000 victims of trafficking. In response to the conflict in Ukraine, the organization has scaled up its efforts to establish resources and interventions to prevent trafficking in persons both in Ukraine and among those on the move throughout the region.

IOM is collaborating with border agencies and government partners to implement trafficking prevention mechanisms such as dissemination and inclusion of protection messaging, providing verified and safe information, and raising awareness to empower refugees and third-country nationals to make informed decisions and be aware of risks.

The agency has also reinforced regional hotlines to equip people on the move with important safety and resource information.

IOM in Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova have developed online materials related to safe migration and counter-trafficking, which connect people fleeing Ukraine with vital accommodation, transportation, and trafficking reporting resources.

"We encourage states to receive arrivals from Ukraine in a non-discriminatory, gender-sensitive, and culturally sensitive manner, without bias based on nationality, ethnicity, or status of documentation," the IOM noted.

The international agency affirmed the need for a collective response in terms of capacity building, appropriately collecting evidence, providing technical guidance, and above all, direct assistance to all victims and those vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and abuse.

It's worth mentioning that nearly three million people have fled Ukraine, including 162,000 third-country nationals (TCNs).