Through their work with vulnerable people and in emergency situations, National Societies may encounter people at risk or who may have experienced human trafficking.

When you work with those at risk or with survivors of human trafficking, it is important to understand the Red Cross and Red Crescent fundamental principles and the humanitarian principle of doing no harm.

Depending on your capacities and capabilities, there are a range of actions that you may take to respond and mitigate risks. These may include: by giving first aid and healthcare support, emotional support, legal aid, and material and social assistance. You can also help to identify those at risk of trafficking through referral mechanisms in your area.

Support for your activities

If you are considering engaging directly with people who have experienced trafficking, this decision should involve a careful assessment of your skills, specialised knowledge, resources, processes, procedures and expertise to engage in this area in line with the humanitarian principle of doing no harm. If your National Society is not experienced in working with trafficked people and is considering taking such action, you can connect with the IFRC Global PGI team.

The Asia Pacific Migration Network and the Action for Trafficked Person Network (ATN) are two networks leading the way in supporting national organisations to develop their own regional responses.

The Asia Pacific Migration Network (APMN) is a regional network established in December 2012 by 17 national organisations. The APMN was created to explore critical issues, develop actions, and contribute to a growing body of knowledge for the benefit of migrants based on the Movement’s Fundamental Principles and humanitarian approach. Australian Red Cross and Philippine Red Crescent are the current co-chairs and Australian Red Cross hosts the Secretariat for the APMN. Over the last three years the APMN has increased the profile of migration in the region, and as of October 2018 engages 35 National Societies in the Asia Pacific and ICRC and IFRC.

The Action for Trafficked Person Network is a thematic network established in 2004, and is open to European Red Cross and Red Crescent organisations. Its aim is to reduce human trafficking and help protect trafficking survivors, with the support of European National Societies and the IFRC. It also promotes Red Cross initiatives for the prevention of trafficking, assistance and protection of survivors of trafficking, and those at risk. Netherlands Red Cross, Italian Red Cross and British Red Cross are the current co-chairs.