On 22 March 2019, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and UNDP/UN-ACT co-hosted a half-day seminar on ‘Human Trafficking in Disaster and Crisis Settings: experiences throughout Asia with a focus on Cox’s Bazar’ (see invitation)

The event was moderated by Mr Ezekiel (Zeke) Simperingham, IFRC Asia Pacific Migration and Displacement Coordinator. On the first panel were Ms Samantha McCormack from the UNHCR Global Protection Cluster Task Team on Anti-Trafficking who join remotely via link from Geneva, and Ms Marika McAdam, an Independent International Legal Advisor. They spoke on ‘Bridging the Gap: Global structures, efforts, policies and experiences to combat human trafficking with a people-centered approach’. This was followed by a second panel on ‘The risks of human trafficking in Cox´s Bazar: Ways to combat trafficking, mitigate risks and enhance dignity.’ During this session Dr Rebecca Miller of the Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration (AFDM), and Ms Valeria Ragni, the British Red Cross’ Senior Anti-Trafficking Advisor presented findings from recent assessments conducted by their respective organisations (see agenda).

Over 70 attendees from a variety of backgrounds, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, humanitarians, representatives of diplomatic missions, UN staff, academics, and civil society actors attended the event, which furthered the commitment of the IFRC to addressing humanitarian needs of migrants and displaced people across the Asia Pacific region (see IFRC Asia Pacific Migration and Displacement: Framework for Action – Reducing Vulnerability, Enhancing Resilience 2017 – 2022). In addition, it also highlighted the nexus between migrant labour and trafficking (see Addressing the Humanitarian Consequences of Labour Migration and Trafficking: The Role of Asia Pacific National Societies), and current programmes and activities undertaken by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh and in Laos following the collapse of the mega dam, as well as ensuring complementarity with the IFRC’s work as it relates to Protection, Gender and Inclusion in humanitarian responses.