USAID Laos Counter Trafficking in Persons (USAID Laos CTIP)

In Southeast Asia, Laos is a primary source and, to a lesser extent, a transit and destination country for women, children and men who are subjected to trafficking in persons. Especially in the southern part of the country, Lao trafficking victims are often migrants seeking opportunities abroad who then experience labor or sexual exploitation in nearby countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan. In response, Winrock International is implementing the five-year, USAID-funded Laos Counter Trafficking in Persons (USAID Laos CTIP) project, which supports vocational training and employment opportunities for targeted populations in Laos to reduce their vulnerability to trafficking. In turn, these efforts will offer a model of prevention and protection for the Government of Lao PDR to learn from, support and sustain as it builds its response to counter human trafficking through the implementation of related national laws, policies and programs, as well as providing high-quality support services to trafficked persons.