US contributes US$1.6 million to combat people trafficking

US Ambassador Robin Bernstein said the US government has donated US$1.6 million to the Dominican Republic to back the efforts of the Inter-Institutional Commission to Combat Trafficking in Persons (CITIM). Bernstein made the observation when participating in the presentation of “Una nueva forma de esclavitud: la trata de personas. Una guía para su derrota”, a book on people trafficking at the Ministry of Foreign Relations on 6 March 2019 with the collaboration of the civic group, Participación Ciudadana.

The ambassador said that combatting people trafficking is one of her priorities as ambassador. Ambassador Robin Bernstein said that the Trump administration understands that cooperation is needed to end human trafficking. “No government or individual can fight on its own,” she reflected. “Governments, religious organizations, civil society and survivors must work together,” she said.

During the presentation, Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas said that national statistics for 2018 reveal that 50% of the victims are adult women and 25% are minor girls. Vargas called the publication a practical tool to be consulted by those working to eradicate trafficking in the Dominican Republic. Vargas is the president of the CITIM.

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Mirex
El Caribe

7 March 2019