OSCE Special Representative praises anti-trafficking project for children in Moldova

CHISINAU, 24 October 2014 – The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Ambassador Madina Jarbussynova, today praised participants of an ongoing project to combat child trafficking on both sides of the Dniester/Nistru River.

“I would like to thank everyone who has made this project possible, including teachers, social workers and psychologists,” Jarbussynova said. “Without your dedication it would not have been possible to provide such crucial support to at-risk youth.”

Since 2011, the OSCE, in partnerships with local NGOs and Moldova’s Education Ministry and Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family, has implemented a programme to teach crucial life and professional skills to children without parental care in 12 residential schools in 10 pilot regions in Moldova. The project took up work in Transdniestria this year.

“We appreciate the co-operation with the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and her support for sustainable social and professional integration of at-risk children by creating alternatives for them here,” said Ambassador Michael Scanlan, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova. “Through our joint efforts, we help Moldova to prevent human trafficking of children who live without the support of their parents.”

The project receives financial support from Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco and San Marino.

During her three-day visit, the Special Representative participated in a project evaluation meeting in Tiraspol, where she noted the significant achievements made by the programme, which has now assisted more than 900 children without parental care on both sides of the Dniester/Nistru River.

Elena Rusina, deputy head of the office of Social Affairs issues in Transdniestria said during the project evaluation that she hopes the OSCE expands its collaborative efforts in the region.

“There is a need to continue to develop joint programmes with the OSCE in Transdniestria by co-operating with the partners who are working on the current project,” she said.

Jarbussynova met with a number of high-ranking officials, including Liliana Nicolaescu-Onofrei, Moldova’s Deputy Minister of Education, and Ecaterina Berejan, Head of the Permanent Secretariat of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings. She also met with Oxana Bulanova, head of the office of Social Affairs issues in Transdniestria and other Transdniestrian authorities. During her meetings she was accompanied by Jan Plešinger, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission.