Today Chargé d’Affaires Helen LaFave joined Mr. A K M Tipu Sultan, Additional Secretary (Political and ICT Wing), Public Security Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, and representatives of other government ministries and Bangladeshi and international organizations at the official launch of the Bangladesh Program to End Modern Slavery (B-PEMS) the “AugroJatra” project, implemented by Winrock International.

Chargé d’Affaires, Helen LaFave, said, “The AugroJatra project will help the Government of Bangladesh better understand how climate change impacts fishers and farmers and provide evidence about the best actions to take to mitigate the risks of increasing trafficking in persons among these vulnerable populations in Bangladesh.”

The program underlines the commitment of Bangladesh and the United States to work together to combat both human trafficking and climate change. The United States will continue to support Bangladesh in strengthening its capacity and mobilizing resources to accelerate the implementation of climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation measures to minimize risks of climate-vulnerable populations becoming human trafficking victims.

With support from the U.S. Department of State, AugroJatra will enhance knowledge on the link between climate change, human trafficking, and modern slavery.  By gathering evidence throughout Bangladesh, the project will reduce vulnerability to exploitation and human trafficking that often accompanies the loss of property and livelihoods caused by climate change among farming and fishing households.

The project aims to improve climate-resilient livelihoods for at-risk populations and encourage cross-integration of climate change adaptation and human trafficking prevention into policies and plans.  The project will be implemented across 11 districts in Bangladesh, including Rangpur, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Faridpur, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Barishal, and Patuakhali.