US to fund a Center for Victims of Child Trafficking

The US Embassy Libreville, through the Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, pledged $138,000 to UNICEF for the construction of a transit center for the victims of child trafficking.  Current capacity in Gabon is limited to a government-run shelter used for abandoned and abused children.  UNICEF’s implementing partner for the establishment of the center will be Caritas Gabon, a confederation of emergency relief, development and social services organizations.  On June 1, 2006, UNICEF and Caritas Gabon signed a partnership agreement specifying how the Transit Center Project will be implemented.  The contract between UNICEF and Caritas was signed by Kristian Laubjerg, UNICEF area representative, and Marie-Therese Ngandji, Caritas Secretary General. U.S. Ambassador R. Barrie Walkley and Archbishop Basile Mve Engone were in attendance. Caritas will run the day-to-day operations with financial and technical support from UNICEF and its partners. The Catholic Church has committed to providing land and a building structure which can be rehabilitated and used for the center. All operating expenses and project activities will be covered by UNICEF general resources and donor funds.

The transit center in Libreville is part of global efforts between the U.S. and its partners to combat forced labor, sexual exploitation and modern-day slavery. In FY2005, the U.S. obligated approximately $95 million to 266 programs in 101 countries. These programs are working to ensure human trafficking is prevented, the survivors are protected, and the traffickers are put in jail. 

Read more about combating trafficking in persons.