On the occasion of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, IOM Sudan held an open door social gathering at the Migrant Resource and Response Centre (MRRC) in Khartoum. Throughout the event, the MRRC team briefed the attendees on services provided to migrants through the MRRC and the daily activities of the centre, such as Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration of stranded migrants to countries of origin and medical and psychosocial support.

The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders keen to contribute to addressing the crime of human trafficking and assisting its victims, including representatives of the migrant communities in Khartoum, diplomatic and donor community in Khartoum and of the Government of Sudan. The attendees raised many questions related to the prevention strategies that MRRC implements and how victims of trafficking are assisted. The team elaborated on their current challenges and how MRRC through its mobile response team is also working to assist vulnerable individuals unable to go to the centre by themselves. Along with talks and screening of videos related to counter trafficking, a Sudanese artist of Yalla! Khartoum group performed a live painting inspired by the work done at the MRRC to assist victims of human trafficking.

In 2015 the Government of Sudan endorsed the 2015-2017 Joint IOM – UNHCR, UNODC, UNICEF and UNFPA Strategy to Address Human Trafficking, Kidnapping and Smuggling of Persons in Sudan - Strengthening Alternatives to Onward Movements. In line with this strategy, IOM Sudan established the MRRC to bolster government efforts to respond effectively to complex migration flows and strengthen protection measures for migrants. It provides different services such as medical assistance, psychosocial support to Victims of Trafficking and other vulnerable migrants, information on risks of irregular migration, as well as assisted voluntary return and reintegration to migrants. The center also provides awareness sessions to migrant’s communities on the risks of irregular migration for migrants to make informed choices.