USAID Thailand Counter Trafficking in Persons Quarterly Performance Report January-March 2018

The project was awarded a five-year USD $10 million cooperative agreement by USAID/RDMA in September 2017. The initiative targets human trafficking in workplaces and supply chains, connecting vulnerable groups with information, networks, and services to minimize trafficking risks. Implementation of the project began in January 2018, with the completion of start-up activities, including finalization of key deliverables such as the Year 1 Work Plan, Gender and Inclusive Development Action Plan, and Communications and Outreach Plan. The project also recruited and onboarded technical staff, including a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist, Social Behavior Change Communication Specialist, and Private Sector Engagement Specialist. During the reporting quarter, the project made progress in establishing productive working relations with the Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS). Joint activities were discussed, and a plan for them will be finalized in the following quarter upon MSDHS review and endorsement of the USAID Thailand CTIP Year 1 Work Plan. The project initiated foundational activities under all three Intermediate Results (IR), including a co-creation workshop with Mars, desk research as part of Rapid Partnership Appraisal (RPA), and a scoping mission for media and social behavior change players in CTIP. A preliminary mapping of CTIP stakeholders and service providers was completed in three target provinces outside of Bangkok, and World Vision began compiling information for province-level service provider inventories. Gender and social inclusion considerations were integrated into all project deliverables and the design of upcoming assessments, including the baseline, formative research, and RPA. The project also began exploring opportunities for the use of innovative technological advancements, such as Blockchain digital identification verification tools for migrants. The USAID Thailand CTIP project is implemented in collaboration with four main implementing partners: BBC Media Action, Liberty Asia, World Vision, and Winrock International. The project targets multiple manifestations of trafficking in persons (TIP) in Thailand, including source, transit, and destination countries. The project's objectives include addressing the demand and enabling environment for TIP, empowering at-risk populations to safeguard their rights, and strengthening protection systems for survivors. The project leverages ongoing CTIP initiatives in Thailand and coordinates closely with source countries for a unified cross-border response. The USAID Thailand CTIP initiative supports the Royal Thai Government's 2017-2021 National Plan of Action against Trafficking in Persons. The project connects those most at risk for human trafficking with up-to-date information, networks, and services to minimize trafficking risks for vulnerable groups. The project will also help to protect the rights of trafficked persons and prevent re-victimization by ensuring that trafficked persons are identified and receive the support they need. The project's implementation is ongoing, with further detail on activities, achievements, and challenges included in this report. The project will continue to work towards its objectives, leveraging the private sector and civil society momentum to address TIP in Thailand.