January’s Highlights
As we step into a new year, Hagar continues its unwavering commitment to healing and empowerment across our global operations. January has been a month of significant achievements, marked by a series of training sessions and strategic meetings in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and Vietnam. These initiatives are pivotal in advancing our mission to support survivors of human trafficking, slavery, and abuse. Join us as we highlight the key events and successes of January, reflecting our collective efforts to create a safer, more equitable world.
Training sessions - Afghanistan
In December 2023, FNM organised two impactful outreach and training events.
The first event, held on 19 December 2023 in the 7th City District of Kabul, brought together 20 participants in various roles, including religious leaders, school teachers, community members, and parents. The full-day training aimed to enhance the capacity and raise awareness among these individuals regarding Children's Rights and Protection.
The second event, conducted on 24 December 2023, involved training 20 staff members from Islamic Relief, comprising 12 males and eight females. This full-day training session on Children’s Rights and
Protection took place at Islamic Relief’s Main Office in the 10th City District of Kabul.
Both training initiatives were successful in significantly improving participants' understanding of Children’s Rights and Protection. After the sessions, participants expressed their gratitude to HAGAR’s staff, with one participant noting, "This training was very fruitful for us as humanitarian staff. It will undoubtedly enhance our qualifications to perform better." Another participant suggested expanding these valuable training programs to reach a broader audience. These testimonials underscore the positive impact and effectiveness of Hagar's training efforts.
Training sessions - Cambodia
From December 7th to 8th, 2023, the Northwest program, with technical support from Hagar's Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and Counseling Specialist, successfully conducted a training session on TIC, Basic Counseling, and Psychological First Aid (PFA). The training was delivered to participants from the Poipet Transit Center (PTC) in Poipet City, Banteay Meanchey Province, and the Komrieng Reception Migrant Center (KMRC). A total of 35 participants attended the training, representing PTC, KMRC, and other partner NGOs dedicated to responding to the needs and providing support for women and children, especially those who work with migrant and returned-migrant workers across the Cambodia-Thailand border.
Monthly meeting by the WCCC - Cambodia
Hagar’s project staff participated in the monthly meeting hosted by the Women's and Children's Consultative Committee (WCCC) across various provinces, including Battambang, Poipet City, Banteay Meanchey, and Siem Reap. The meeting involved NGO partners, the Department of Education (DoE), local authorities (OD), health centers (HC), and various other stakeholders. The meeting discussed a range of topics, including issues of children and women, community pre-school education, domestic violence, drug and sexual abuse, gender equality, and public safety and security. During the meeting, Hagar’s staff presented information about our services and ongoing work and highlighted both progress and challenges.
Annual Reflection Workshop - Cambodia
On December 14-15, 2023, an annual reflection workshop was organised with the Pastors network in Pailin province, bringing together a total of 36 participants. The purpose of this workshop was to share results and enhance understanding of the progress made in Churches Education Awareness concerning child protection, safe migration, and updates on Church activities. During the workshop, there was a group discussion focusing on the roles and responsibilities of the Christian Committee and how to strengthen their capacity to fulfill their roles and responsibilities in collaboration with government officers with a new plan updated in 2024.
Training for project - Vietnam
Two training courses were conducted in Tram Tau district, addressing emotional management skills, gender equality, and the law on domestic violence prevention. These courses were tailored for 34 female beneficiaries, all of whom belonged to ethnic minorities with limited literacy and awareness.
Approximately forty percent of the participants faced challenges in reading or writing in the Kinh language. Recognizing this, the trainers delivered the information at a basic level to ensure accessibility. The training aimed to equip participants with knowledge on identifying violent behaviors, classifying different types of violent behavior, and developing skills to identify and articulate strategies for managing negative emotions.
Additionally, in the same month, the project team assessed the needs of 36 beneficiaries in Tram Tau and their livelihood plans. Based on the actual situation and resources, the project staff and local partners provided consultations to these individuals on selecting appropriate livelihood models. The outcome of these consultations led to the beneficiaries formulating plans for the utilization of project financial support.
Working visit to Hagar Cambodia office - Vietnam
On December 7 and 8, 2023, with the goal of improving collaboration in preventing and assisting victims of human trafficking between Vietnam and Cambodia, Hagar Vietnam organized a working visit to the Hagar Cambodia office. The delegation included representatives from the International Organization for Migration in Vietnam (IOM) and the National Child Protection Hotline 111.
During the visit, the Vietnamese delegation engaged in discussions about the current situation of human trafficking in Cambodia, focusing on hotspots such as Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Svay Rieng, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, and Oddar Meanchey. Meetings were conducted with the Cambodian National Committee for Human Trafficking Prevention, Hagar Cambodia, and 18 other social organizations. This working trip provided an opportunity for Hagar Vietnam - Cambodia and relevant stakeholders to assess the coordination between the two countries and develop proposals to enhance the system of victim identification and support.
As part of the official visit, the delegation actively participated in the assessment and referral of four human trafficking victims from the police headquarters to the shelter. These victims, along with others, had been subjected to 14-18 hours of forced labor daily in internet fraud-related jobs, experiencing no compensation and facing frequent harassment and intimidation. Throughout the Cambodian police investigation, the rescued victims received psychological assistance, as well as essential supplies and necessities to improve their basic living conditions.
