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Migration and human trafficking

The living and working conditions of migrants are often catastrophic. The line between migration and human trafficking is blurred. AWO International is committed to self-determined and safe migration.

More than 70 million people worldwide have been forced to flee war, violence and hopelessness. About 230 million people live as migrants far away from their home countries. Especially for migrant workers, migration often ends in precarious working conditions and exploitation. An estimated 30 million people are affected by human trafficking and forced labour.

EuropeMediterranean

For more humanity at sea and on land

As a last resort, millions of people are forced to flee their homes to escape war and persecution in search of a better life. Most flee to neighbouring countries. The smallest proportion make their way to Europe. The journey across the Mediterranean is considered one of the deadliest. Together with our partner organisation SOS Humanity, AWO International is involved in sea rescues.

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A woman stands in front of a banner with the words "Livelihood Training".
Southeast AsiaPhilippines

Combating human trafficking in the Philippines

The COVID-19 pandemic and its lingering effects increase the risk of Filipino domestic workers becoming victims of trafficking and other forms of exploitation. In 2021, AWO International and the Philippine NGO Ople Center formed a partnership to respond to these new challenges for Filipino migrant workers.

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Auf dem Bild ist eine Gruppe von Frauen zu sehen, die selbst gemalte Bilder in Kamera halten.
South AsiaIndia

Strong girls - strong communities

In the Indian state of West Bengal, AWO International is working with its partner organisation Kolkata Sanved to protect women and girls from human trafficking. Through dance and movement therapy, as well as targeted awareness-raising activities, the project helps survivors process traumatic experiences and empowers vulnerable girls and women to strengthen their autonomy and agency.

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The picture shows women sitting in a circle on the floor. There is a bowl of rice in the middle, and some of them are pouring more rice into it.
South AsiaBangladesh

Good harvests instead of climate crisis

Northern Bangladesh is one of the poorest regions in the country. The climate crisis is an additional threat to people's livelihoods. As a result, more and more families are leaving their home villages. This is where our project with our partner organisation Gana Unnayan Kendra comes in. Together, we are creating future prospects for families living on river islands.

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The picture shows a woman wearing a headscarf and holding a small boy.
South AsiaBangladesh

Forgotten crises: Supporting the Rohingya and host communities in Bangladesh

In August 2017, an outbreak of massive violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state forced the Rohingya, a stateless minority, to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh. More than a million Rohingya refugees still live in camps near Cox's Bazar. The effects of climate change are making conditions on the ground even more difficult - this is where our project with local partner GUK comes in.

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A group of young people is sitting in a circle on the floor, chatting happily in a room.
Central AmericaMexico

Counseling and Empowerment

The border city of Tapachula is one of the first stops for migrants on their way to Mexico or the United States. The migrants suffer from human rights violations and precarious living conditions. Our partner organisation "Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Matías de Córdova" works to ensure access to rights and services for migrants, with a particular focus on women and girls.

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A woman sits on a chair in a forum and discusses or asks a question.
Central AmericaMexico

Empowering women - defending human rights

Crime, sexual violence, poverty and structural inequalities are among the reasons why women flee their home countries to Mexico and the US. Access to protection and justice is complicated by many obstacles.

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A woman in front of her small shop where she sells goods.
Central AmericaHonduras

Future opportunities for returnees in Honduras

Honduras is one of the Latin American countries from which most people emigrate to Mexico and the USA. Many young Hondurans return home traumatised and with no prospects for the future. Together with our partner CASM (Comisión de Acción Social Menonita), we are working to give them a better future.

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Central AmericaGuatemala

The results of a long journey

The Municipal District of Ixcán in Guatemala is inhabited mostly by indigenous peoples and is characterized by high rates of both moderate and extreme poverty. For many of its residents, migration is the only solution. Since 2013, we have been working together with ACCSS in the care of migrants and returnees in Ixcán, and in the promotion of alternatives to migration. This project will end in 2024.

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Two women stand in front of a poster of the organizations and shake hands. One of the women is holding a child in her arms.
Central AmericaGuatemala

Voices of Change

Guatemala faces severe human rights violations, particularly affecting migrants on their way to the United States. Irregular migration is on the rise, driven by extreme poverty, limited access to jobs and education, and widespread violence. AWO International is dedicated to safeguarding human rights in Guatemala, with a special focus on migrants, women, and children.

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a logo of Cristosal "Partner Organization"
Central AmericaEl Salvador

Silence is not an option

The human rights situation in El Salvador is becoming increasingly serious as a result of the government's crackdown on gang crime in the country. Human rights violations are commonplace. Our partner organisation Cristosal is committed to supporting women and their families who have become victims of human rights violations and displacement.

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The picture shows five people. One of them is sitting in front of a laptop, wearing an organization vest and explaining something to the others.
Central AmericaGuatemalaHonduras

Solidary families and opportunities for further education

Many migrants from South and Central America pass through Honduras and Guatemala on their way to Mexico or the US. These people often experience human rights abuses, exploitation and violence. We work with local partners to defend the rights of migrants in Guatemala and Honduras.

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A woman is giving a presentation. She is holding a microphone and standing in front of a flipchart.
Southeast AsiaPhilippinesIndonesiaMalaysia

Promoting the rights of migrant workers in Southeast Asia

Labour migration in Southeast Asia is a phenomenon that has existed for centuries. Despite the economic benefits for countries of origin and destination, the situation of migrants and their access to social services is often precarious. Since 2021, AWO International, together with its local partner organisation Migrant Forum Asia (MFA), has been campaigning for the rights of migrant workers in Southeast Asia.

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The boat, with which Norbhen Costańo goes out, is rented. One day's catch is barely enough to feed his family. (Photo: Mark Henry/AWO International)
Southeast AsiaPhilippines

Plastic waste instead of fish, exploitation instead of income

The coastal communities of the Philippine province of Sarangani depend heavily on fishing. But commercial fishing fleets empty fish stocks and fishermen lose their livelihoods. If they are hired for industrial fishing, they often fall victim to exploitation and human trafficking.

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E Participants in a stakeholder dialogue discuss strategies for safe labour migration. MMCEAI brought together 52 representatives from local government agencies and community organizations (Photo: AWO International)
Southeast AsiaPhilippines

Protecting migrant workers from exploitation and abuse

Every day, many women from the island of Mindanao leave their families to migrate abroad for work. A large percentage end up being exploited and abused. Together with our partner organization, MMCEAI, we aim to facilitate for a safer migration process for all stakeholders involved.

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The CMA team at a case conference. (Photo: AWO International)
Southeast AsiaPhilippines

Strengthening the rights of domestic workers in migration

About 10 percent of the Philippine population live and work abroad as migrants. This is mainly due to poverty and a lack of income opportunities in the country. Many women work as domestic helpers, where they are often exposed to abuse and exploitation. Together with our partner organization Center for Migrant Advocacy, we work to protect migrant domestic workers and their rights.

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Migrants in transit are provided with a warm meal by the hostel La Sagrada Familia (Photo: UMUN)
Central AmericaMexico

Strategies for the protection of migrants

Mexico experiences the entire migration cycle: Every year about 450,000 migrants from Central America cross the country, many of them staying in the country. But thousands of Mexicans are also on their way themselves. But migration harbours many dangers. Together with our partner organization UMUN, we are carrying out a project to reduce risks.

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Our partner organisation INFEST offers education and information on the subject of secure migration as well as workshops and training courses. In this way, former migrants or family members can pass on their experiences and knowledge on the subject. (Photo: AWO International)
Southeast AsiaIndonesiaMalaysia

Strengthening rights for migrant workers across borders

Hundreds of thousands of people leave Indonesia every year in search of better income. Many of them run the risk of becoming victims of abuse, exploitation and human trafficking. Together with our partner organization - INFEST, we are committed to facilitating safe migration and promoting decent working conditions in Indonesia and Malaysia.

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Members of the migrant women's group, "Pada Patuh" in Ketapan Raya Village, hold a discussion with children of migrant women to identify and address problems. (Photo: AWO International)
Southeast AsiaIndonesia

Protecting migrant women from Lombok from human trafficking and violence

Poverty and a lack of job opportunities in many communities on the island of Lombok push people to migrate to seek better economic prospects; a large percentage of these migrants often become victims of human traffickers. Together with our partner organization – ADBMI, we are implementing a project to protect migrating women and men.

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Participants in a training course for organisational management from our partner organisation PPK. The former migrant women want to work against human trafficking in community organisations. (Photo: AWO International)
Southeast AsiaIndonesia

Safe migration for migrants from Lombok

Extortion, exploitation and violence are violations of rights that happen to many migrant workers. In their search for a better life for themselves and their families, they often end up in extremely precarious working conditions. Together with our partner organization - PPK, we worked for the protection and rights of migrant workers.

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Promotion of livelihoods and income security through beekeeping for returning and potential migrants (pic: NEEDS/AWO International)
South AsiaNepal

Chances for a better future in the Far West of Nepal

The Far West of Nepal is home to a large proportion of those Nepalese who migrate to India in search of work. There is a lack of programmes in this region to strengthen the rights of migrants, to create prospects for them to stay and to combat human trafficking. Our partner organization National Environment and Equity Development Society, NEEDS for short, is the only organization working on the issue of safe migration in Doti and Kanchanpur Districts.

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Advice and information on safe migration routes for potential migrants (pic: WosCC/AWO International)
South AsiaNepal

How we stand up for women in Makwanpur

Preventing human trafficking and promoting the political and socio-economic participation of women: This is what AWO International and its partner organisation Women Skill Creation Centre, WoSCC for short, are working for in Makwanpur District in Nepal.

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[Translate to Englisch:] Im Rotlichtviertel Bowbazaar unterstützen wir Frauen mit berufsvorbereitenden Trainings (Foto: AWO International/SKHM)
South AsiaIndia

New perspectives for the residents in the red light district of Kolkata

Bowbazaar is one of the oldest and largest red light districts in the metropolis of Kolkata in West Bengal, India. Here we work with our partner organisation South Kolkata Hamari Muskan, SKHM for short. The project aims to reduce gender-based violence and offers women the opportunity to go to a “Safe Space”. In addition, we provide health care and education and show the residents alternative employment opportunities.

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Together with COVOID we support refugee families and their host communities. (Photo: AWO International)
AfricaUganda

Improvement of living conditions in the Nakivale refugee camp

In Isingiro District in southwestern Uganda, the proportion of refugees is 19 percent. With our partner organization COVOID, we are improving living conditions for refugees and locals by strengthening nutrition, income and social cohesion.

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Helping people to take action: Through self-organization in savings and credit groups, for example, people improve their living conditions by organizing themselves. (Photo: AWO International)
AfricaUganda

Improving living conditions for refugees and host communities in northern Uganda

Bidibidi is one of the largest camps for refugees in the world. Many of the people are living on the margin of poverty, and food insecurity is a major challenge. Together with our partner AFARD, we support refugees to improve their situation.

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With organic farming, people's livelihoods are secured and the environment is protected. (Photo: AWO International)
AfricaUganda

Food security for refugees and host communities in northern Uganda

The Lamwo district in northern Uganda is one of the poorest regions in the country. Nevertheless, the communities here take in refugees from South Sudan. Our project supports refugees and local communities in securing their food, increasing their income and strengthening social cohesion.

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