USAID Laos COUNTER TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS QUARTER 1 PROGRESS REPORT, FISCAL YEAR 2019

The program was introduced through a series of meetings at the national and provincial level, which marked the first steps required by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) process. The USAID Laos CTIP program collected information and feedback from various stakeholders to draft the MOU and project proposal. The program developed a draft MOU and project proposal to share with MLSW in January 2019. The MOU was developed based on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) template and examples from development partners who have signed MOUs with MLSW before. The Chief of Party (COP) of the USAID Laos CTIP Program participated in an awareness-raising campaign in Laung Namtha, reaching stakeholders from six northern provinces to disseminate information on TIP law, the National Plan of Action (NPA), and the National Secretariat decree. Key accomplishments for Q1 included the official introduction of the USAID Laos CTIP program to GOL and development partners, finalization of the Vulnerability and Economic Opportunity (VEO) study proposal, and development and finalization of the draft MOU and project proposal. The overarching purpose of USAID Laos CTIP is to reduce the vulnerability to human trafficking among targeted populations in the Lao PDR by supporting vocational training and employment opportunities of targeted vulnerable populations. The program aims to strengthen the Government of Lao PDR's response to lead anti-human trafficking efforts, improve access to economic opportunities and employment among target vulnerable populations, and increase access to support and services among trafficked persons. The program's objectives include improving coordination among Government of Lao PDR agencies, improving cooperation between Government of Lao PDR and CTIP stakeholders on countering human trafficking, and providing skills training based on labor market needs, including entrepreneurship development, to targeted vulnerable populations. The program also aims to enhance private sector partnership to offer employment opportunities to targeted vulnerable populations and improve identification of trafficked persons, availability, and quality of services provided to trafficked persons. The USAID Laos CTIP program held a half-day consultation meeting with various GOL ministry representatives and development partners on October 16, 2018, to solicit recommendations on the approach and activities of the program. The meeting was well attended by members of local and international NGOs and multilaterals, and 15 officials from various ministries, including MLSW, Ministry of Public Security, Lao Women's Union, and others. The meeting presented the USAID Laos CTIP program and the upcoming VEO study, and participants divided into discussion groups to present their answers to discussion questions related to the program's objectives and approach. The COP visited every province which will be proposed in the MOU, meeting another requirement of the MLSW, and hosted introductory meetings with the support of one technical staff from MLSW. The COP presented to members of the provincial secretariat, provincial cabinet, provincial MLSW officials, police, members of the foreign relations division, and other stakeholders in Savannahket, Champasak, Salavan, and Vientiane Capital. The project was received positively by attendees from each province, and they showed a willingness to collaborate. During these meetings, the COP gathered a great deal of information that will be relevant to shaping the MOU and planning activities, including CTIP case estimates, socio-demographic information, labor market information, and on-going interventions related to the USAID Laos CTIP program objectives. The COP also met with a few development partners to collect information on counter trafficking in the target areas and to seek opportunities for collaboration. The COP visited VFI Green Earth Center in Salavan, VFI border check point to support victim ID, VFI shelter in Champasak, and the Sengsavanh shelter in Savannakhet.