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BACKGROUND 

The Safe Migration in Central Asia (SMICA) activity uses evidence-based practices and cross-border connections to strengthen the mutual accountability and effectiveness of governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector to prevent trafficking in persons (TIP), protect survivors, and promote safe migration, as part of USAID’s Asia-wide suite of counter-trafficking interventions. Safe Migration in Central Asia is a five-year (2020-2024) activity implemented by Winrock International in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.  

Each year, millions of Central Asians leave their homes in search of better job opportunities. With insufficient protection of migrants’ rights and safe migration routes, many are at risk of labor and sexual exploitation. These migration outflows, coupled with governments’ attention to the issues of migration and human trafficking, present a window of opportunity to create better systems that support migrants, reduce their vulnerability to labor exploitation, and protect trafficking victims. 

SMICA collaborates with local and international organizations, governments, and civil society to connect individual country approaches into cohesive regional strategies to strengthen bilateral and multi-country actions to promote rights-based migration and counter trafficking in persons (CTIP).

GOALS  

intermediate result 1:
Strengthened bilateral and multi-country strategies and actions to promote rights-based migration and counter trafficking in persons

intermediate result 2:
Vulnerability of at-risk populations to all forms of TIP reduced

intermediate result 3:
Identification and assistance to trafficked persons expanded and improved 

intermediate result 4 (Kyrgyz Republic Only)
Improve prosecution for crimes related to human trafficking (only in the Kyrgyz Republic)

 KEY RESULTS 

  • SMICA reached more than 14,500 individuals through training and education programs on safe and responsible migration.

  • SMICA provided nearly 2,000 service providers received training, technical assistance, or capacity building in victim-center and trauma-informed services.

  • SMICA’s partner NGOs identified more than 150 trafficked persons and provided services to more than 6,000 migrants and potential migrants, including 394 TIP survivors. 

  • SMICA conducted capacity strengthening for more than 200 judges and prosecutors and introduced a self-paced video course on applying a victim-centered approach to cases in their training academies.

  • SMICA engaged 120 private sector companies in actions to address CTIP and promote safe migration by introducing standards for human rights in business, such as supply chain due diligence to ensure supply chains are free from forced labor.

  • SMICA launched the "Safe Airports" initiative by installing interactive electronic information booths at the Termez and Namangan International Airports in Uzbekistan, and Ashgabat International Airport in Turkmenistan and similar ones will be installed in Kyrygz international airports. The kiosks provide pre-departure information on common destination countries for Central Asian migrants.

  • SMICA, in collaboration with international partners, conducted intersectoral trainings for law enforcement, criminal justice actors, NGOs, and social service providers in communities throughout the region.  

USAID Contacts

Inna Biryukova, Project Management Specialist
USAID/Central Asia
41 Kazibek Bi Street
050010 Almaty, Kazakhstan

Project Contacts 

Eleanor Valentine, Chief of Party
Winrock International
100 Nazarbayev Ave. 
050000 Almaty, Kazakhstan

 

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