Phnom Penh – On November 7, 2023, H.E Nhek Vannara, the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, chaired a meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee for the Capacity Development Project for Victims of Trafficking. This meeting included senior representatives from JICA Cambodia, led by Mr. Yanagawa Shinji, as well as various other stakeholders. The meeting took place at the Phnom Penh Hotel.

During the meeting, H.E Nhek Vannara emphasized the Ministry’s dedication to combating human trafficking. He highlighted the importance of seeking input from various sources to generate ideas that can effectively assist trafficking victims.

The Secretary of State expressed optimism regarding the collaboration with JICA and the selection of three target provinces, namely Banteay Meanchey, Tbong Khmum, and Siem Reap. He believes this partnership will greatly benefit Cambodia, particularly those affected by human trafficking.

Mr. Yanagawa Shinji, Senior Representative of JICA Cambodia, noted that the meeting involved dedicated stakeholders committed to addressing crucial issues related to human trafficking. This collective effort aims to foster discussions and cooperation among various sectors and levels, ensuring the most effective results.

The project’s objective is to enhance and strengthen the capacity for serving trafficking victims, with a particular focus on survivors, by addressing multiple barriers to meet their specific needs. JICA looks forward to collaborating with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation and other relevant organizations to achieve significant results in supporting SOT.

Following a productive consultation between the Ministry’s technical staff and the JICA team, numerous points of agreement were reached, offering valuable support to trafficking victims.