Quarterly Performance Report – Quarter 2 FY 2021: Safe Migration in Central Asia

In Central Asia, the SAFE MIGRATION IN CENTRAL ASIA program aims to strengthen bilateral and multi-country strategies to promote rights-based migration and counter trafficking in persons. The program focuses on four intermediate results: IR 1 (Regional), IR 2 (Prevention), IR 3 (Protection), and IR 4 (Increased Prosecution of TIP). IR 1 involves strengthening bilateral and multi-country strategies and actions to promote rights-based migration and counter trafficking in persons. This includes coordinating approaches to counter-trafficking in persons and labor migration among source and destination countries. In Kazakhstan, the program has made progress in improving the collection, availability, and use of data and evidence around trafficking in persons and counter-trafficking. The program has also enhanced safe migration frameworks and enforced them. In the Kyrgyz Republic, the program has expanded and improved identification and assistance to trafficked persons. The program has also strengthened policies and mechanisms for victim identification, referral, and assistance. The program has also made progress in increasing prosecution of trafficking in persons, particularly in the Kyrgyz Republic. The program has strengthened the capacity of criminal justice actors to identify and process TIP cases, enhanced coordination and cooperation in investigation and prosecution of TIP cases, and increased TIP victims' access to justice and redress. Country summaries for Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan highlight the progress made in each country. The program has also addressed cross-cutting issues such as gender equity, youth, and sustainability. The program has faced challenges such as pandemic limitations, government partner dynamics, and administrative restrictions associated with Winrock International and project registration. Future directions and upcoming activities include regional and country-specific initiatives to continue promoting safe migration and countering trafficking in persons.