USAID Laos Counter Trafficking-in-Persons Project Quarter 1 Progress Report, Fiscal Year 4 2021

Child Protection Network (CPN) trainings were conducted in Pakngeum district, Vientiane Capital; Songkone district, Savannakhet province (SVK); and Salavan District, Salavan province (SLV). The CPN trainings followed the standard training for all target provinces, districts, and villages on the topic of safe migration and protecting the rights and interests of trafficking victims. Training outputs included participant awareness of their roles and responsibilities, understanding protection of at-risk populations in their villages, and how to refer cases amongst themselves and with others. The USAID Laos CTIP project held its first consultation meeting with LWU to outline the Minimum Standard of Care (MSC) for Victims of Trafficking and Vulnerable Groups. As detailed in the Y4 work plan, USAID Laos CTIP will work closely with LWU to review comments from the first meeting and start developing content and a final draft of the MSC. Additionally, in close collaboration with LWU, USAID Laos CTIP conducted a Victim Identification and National Referral Mechanism (VID/NRM) training for five target districts in Vientiane (VTE) Capital. USAID Laos CTIP worked closely with MICT on private sector engagement by conducting two workshops on TIP Prevention and Child Sexual Exploitation in the Tourism sector in Champasack (CPS) and Salavan provinces. These workshops were designed to educate and raise awareness among hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, spas, and massage parlors about how to support and protect young girls working in the tourism and entertainment sectors. In collaboration with LFTU, USAID Laos CTIP held a technical meeting to select private sector partners for employment opportunities for vulnerable populations. During the 16 Days to End Violence Against Women (EVAW) campaign, USAID Laos CTIP and LFTU conducted an awareness-raising campaign on the International Day for EVAW and Children and Counter Trafficking in Persons in one of the target garment factories in VTE Capital. The overarching purpose of the USAID Laos CTIP project is to reduce the vulnerability to human trafficking among target populations in the Lao PDR by supporting vocational training and employment opportunities for vulnerable populations. The project aims to strengthen the Government of Lao PDR's response to lead anti-human trafficking efforts through improved coordination among government agencies and cooperation between government agencies and CTIP stakeholders. The project also aims to improve access to economic opportunities and employment among target vulnerable populations through skills training and private sector partnerships. The project's objectives include: 1. Strengthening the Government of Lao PDR's response to lead anti-human trafficking efforts through improved coordination among government agencies and cooperation between government agencies and CTIP stakeholders. 2. Improving access to economic opportunities and employment among target vulnerable populations through skills training and private sector partnerships. 3. Increasing access to support and services among trafficked persons through improved identification and availability of quality services. The project's activities and progress are focused on achieving these objectives, with a strong emphasis on collaboration with government agencies, civil society organizations, and private sector partners.