New Report on the Vulnerability to Trafficking in Persons in the context of the War in Ukraine: Findings from Poland and Romania
Vulnerability to Trafficking in Persons in the context of the War in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine has significantly increased socioeconomic vulnerabilities for millions of Ukrainian and third-country nationals (TCNs) living in the country. This has led to unprecedented levels of displacement both within Ukraine and across its borders. Initially, these vulnerabilities were linked to the emergency phase following the full-scale invasion in February 2022, but they have since then evolved into more complex structural issues.
Building upon the previous paper, “Human Trafficking in the Ukraine Crisis” which explored the initial dynamics of human trafficking. This second report, developed by the European regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force delves into the nature and prevalence of vulnerabilities that heighten the risk of human trafficking among Ukrainian refugees in Poland and Romania.
“People from Ukraine are afraid to report local people who are using or exploiting them... It’s a feeling of “gratitude”. This feeling was very strong and even concerned sexual crimes. When the war started, it was considered not good to go to the police because of the local people who do a lot for Ukraine. You should feel “gratitude”. You shouldn’t report anyone to the police.” Key Informant quote
This report focuses on Ukrainian nationals who were forced to flee their homes following the full-scale invasion in February 2022. This report includes a case-study of Romania and Poland, as both countries were among the top 10 countries in the European Union to grant temporary protection to people who fled Ukraine as of November 2023. The primary aim is to understand the extent and dynamics of the vulnerabilities faced by these refugees, which may increase their risk of becoming victims of trafficking.
Learn more about IOM’s Counter-Trafficking efforts and check-out the resources on the topic available in the Platform.
For more info about the report, please contact Heather Komenda at hkomenda@iom.int.
*An Anti-Trafficking Task Force has been established under the auspices of the United Nations Protection Working Group, co-chaired by IOM and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Its objectives include: (a) collecting and sharing data on trafficking risks among refugees; (b) supporting anti-trafficking efforts at the country and regional levels to assist host countries; and (c) providing operational recommendations to effectively identify, prevent and respond to trafficking incidents, prioritizing the rights of survivors and those at risk.