BAGHDAD, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration is cooperating with the Iraqi government and civil society actors to create an environment that could help fighting the Trafficking In Persons (TIP) problem in Iraq, the United Nations in Iraq said Friday.
A statement by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said a workshop was held in the capital Baghdad to mark the World Day against TIP on July 30.
The focus in Iraq was "on creating an environment where government and civil society actors could discuss pathways to combat the crime and provide meaningful protection to victims," the statement added.
The IOM technical workshop aimed at "building networks to better identify and assist victims of trafficking and other sexual gender-based violence for criminal justice actors, service delivery providers, and community members from across Iraq," the statement said.
In Iraq, the instability and insecurity caused by years of conflict with the Islamic State (IS) militant group have left an environment where TIP is a constant and real threat.
TIP "occurs in peacetime and is exacerbated during conflict and post-crises," the statement said, adding approximately 1.6 million people in Iraq are internally displaced.
The UN 2019 humanitarian response plan estimates that 6.7 million people are still in need of humanitarian assistance.
Many individuals and communities are vulnerable to human traffickers and migrant smugglers and these risks impact those communities affected by the conflict with the IS group, the statement noted.
