The U.S. State Department's anti-trafficking office awarded a $2.5 million grant to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), along with implementing partners the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Labor Organization (ILO). The grant aims to strengthen «detection, identification, protection, return, and reintegration of victims of trafficking in persons» in Morocco. The U.S. Embassy in Morocco announced the grant on Friday at a ceremony hosted by Ambassador Puneet Talwar. High-level officials attended the ceremony, including Hicham Mellati from the Moroccan anti-trafficking commission director, Nathalie Fustier, UN Resident Coordinator, Laura Palatini IOM Morocco Chief of Mission, Siham Al Figuigui, UNODC Head of Office, and Aurelia Segatti, ILO Morocco Focal Point. This funding will support the Moroccan government in establishing «the first shelters with specialized care for victims of human trafficking, ensuring survivors have access to comprehensive and specialized services». The project aligns with Morocco's 2023-2030 National Plan to Combat and Prevent Human Trafficking and the National Referral Mechanism for Victims. Ambassador Talwar commended Morocco's efforts in holding traffickers accountable, identifying victims, and preventing the crime. «We are encouraged by the Moroccan Government's approval and widespread distribution of a comprehensive victim identification guide. This represents an important step forward in efforts to combat the scourge of trafficking in persons, a goal we all share», Ambassador Talwar stated. «I commend Morocco for this result and reaffirm our commitment to further support the country in its efforts to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, protect and assist victims, and prosecute perpetrators», Nathalie Fustier, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Morocco, said.
