Empowering Survivors: IOM Launches $1 Million Project to Enhance Reintegration and Economic Security for Trafficking Survivors in Ghana and Nigeria

Accra/Abuja – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) launches the Enhanced Reintegration for Survivors of Trafficking (ERS) project, an initiative aimed at empowering survivors of trafficking in Ghana and Nigeria through enhanced reintegration support. This $1 million, 20-month project is funded by the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office).

Recognizing the critical need to address the long-term challenges and risks faced by survivors of trafficking, the ERS project has been developed to offer survivors of human trafficking the necessary tools and resources to foster economic security, while also providing comprehensive support across various dimensions of their reintegration journey.

The ERS project will provide survivors of human trafficking with reintegration grants to support the establishment of microbusinesses. These grants will give survivors the financial resources they need to start and expand their businesses, enabling them to achieve self-sufficiency. Recognizing the importance of peer support and mentorship, ERS will establish survivor-led support groups and mentoring programs, creating a safe and empowering environment for survivors to share experiences, seek guidance, and build support networks. Reintegration support mentors, including partners from the Government of Ghana, the University of Ghana, NGOs, and the private sector, along with a case management team comprising state and non-state actors in Nigeria, will work closely with survivors, providing personalized assistance in business planning, skills development, and accessing relevant resources. To ensure the best chances of success, supplementary in-kind support will be provided through IOM's Emergency Victim Assistance Fund (EVA), covering immediate needs like food, shelter, and education, thereby establishing a stable foundation for survivors as they rebuild their lives.

IOM is committed to working closely with survivors, local communities, and relevant stakeholders to implement the ERS project effectively. By fostering collaboration, partnerships, and collective action, this initiative will contribute to the global fight against trafficking in persons, with a particular emphasis on empowering women survivors.

For more information, please contact Pooja Bhalla, Project Manager, IOM Ghana, at pbhalla@iom.int