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.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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