Covid-19: EU Donates Over N19m Palliatives To Trafficking Victims

The European Union on Tuesday donated palliatives worth 45,000 Euro (N19.61 million) to victims of human trafficking, sheltering under the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the palliatives include: food items, toiletries, beverages and hand sanitisers.

The EU Delegation Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ketil Karlsen, said that the donation was part of the vital engagement of the union to Africa countries.

He said that the principal officers of the Head of EU have made it as a point of note, not to leave African alone in this situation of coronavirus pandemic.

“It is our desire not to forget the vulnerable group, especially the victims of human trafficking, rape and gender-based violence.

“NAPTIP is a very key partner of the European Union in this direction.

“Fighting human trafficking is absolutely vital and this is why we decided to donates these items to vulnerable victims because we must make sure they are catering for,’’ Karlsen said.

NAN also reports that the items were donated under the EU project “Action Against Trafficking in Persons And Smuggling of Migrants in Nigeria” (A-TIPSOM).

Mr Jose-Antonio Andeme, Institutional Coordinator, A-TIPSOM, said that the donation was crucial at this time since the COVID-19 has put the world under enormous strain, which has affected the lives of everyone including the trafficked persons.

According to Andeme, services provider agency like NAPTIP needs adequate palliatives that will enhance the comfort of trafficked persons in staying at the shelters during this period.

“A-TIPSOM began in 2018, through an agreement between the EU and the government of Nigeria with the objective to reduce the trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants at national, regional and international level.

“A-TIPSOM project is tackling human trafficking and smuggling of migrants in Nigeria through the 5Ps which include Prevention, Protection, Policy, Partnership and Prosecution,’’ he said.

NAPTIP’s Director-General, Mrs Julie Okah-Donli, promised to utilised the items for the purpose to which they were donated.

She explained that this was not the first time the agency is getting palliatives from donors, assuring that the items will be giving to those in the agency shelters.