USAID Laos Counter Trafficking-in-Persons Project Quarter 2 Progress Report, Fiscal Year 4 2021

The project focused on three key interventions: improving government coordination, enhancing access to economic opportunities and employment, and increasing access to support and services for trafficked persons. In January 2021, the project financially supported and participated in the annual Child Protection Network (CPN) meeting, where members from various ministries and departments, as well as civil society organizations, shared information and discussed CPN planning. The project also conducted three standard CPN trainings in Phonethong and Khong districts in Champasack province and Sangthong District in Vientiane Capital for 118 people, including district human trafficking and child protection committee members, CPN members, and village representatives. In February 2021, the project organized an Implementation Management Committee (IMC) meeting for key government actors from the central level and four target provinces to review MOU implementation and develop the 2021 MOU work plan. Participants included representatives from social welfare, police, Lao Women's Union, education, Lao Federation Trade Union, Lao Youth Union, tourism, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project presented activities implemented in 2020 in each province, as well as challenges during beneficiary selection and assessment. The project also organized a meeting to discuss case management, protection, and TIP victim referral with victim support and protection agencies, including health, social welfare, LFTU, and justice at the central level, and LWU from 8 provinces. This was the first jointly held meeting of its kind for key stakeholders to discuss TIP victim case management. In collaboration with Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, the project organized a workshop on TIP and child sexual exploitation (CSE) prevention in the tourism sector in Vientiane capital. The workshop aimed to raise awareness among and exchange the views and lessons learned from tourism industry representatives about what they can do to prevent CSE and human trafficking. During Q2, the project conducted the first beneficiary assessment in Paknguemg District, Vientiane Capital to select individuals for skills training and assistance with entrepreneurship and job placement. The project's sub-awardee, VFI, also started using the same beneficiary assessment in their target districts to select individuals to participate in their three-month vocational training program. The project continued to work closely with key government partners to implement activities, including the submission of an official letter proposing to amend the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Labor and Social Work. At the time of reporting, the MOU amendment was pending. The Ministry of Labor and Social Work agreed to reflect USAID Laos CTIP's plans to amend the current MOU in their five-year plan. The project's activities aimed to strengthen the Government of Lao PDR's response to human trafficking, improve access to economic opportunities and employment, and increase access to support and services for trafficked persons. The project continued to work towards its objectives, including the implementation of activities, beneficiary assessment, and capacity building for government partners and civil society organizations.