The International Organization for Migration Special Liaison Office IOM/SLO in Ethiopia has organized a two days training for service provider organizations who run shelter and involve in the direct assistance of Victims of Trafficking (VOTs). The training was conducted from August 3 to 4, 2015 at Ambassador Hotel in Addis Ababa. The overall objective of the training was supporting service providers and partners to manage a safe house and improve the direct assistance services for VOTs in Ethiopia.

The participants of the training were invited from 15 governmental, non-governmental and civil society organizations. Four IOM facilitators conducted the training. 

The two days training gave service providers information on how to screen victims of trafficking, referral and reintegration assistance, shelter guidelines, health and trafficking and the importance of cooperating with law enforcement agencies. The training also helped participants to share their experiences and IOM’s best practices on direct assistance to victims of trafficking.

Participants of the training expressed their acknowledgement to IOM for organizing this training for service providers. Some participants highlighted the importance of conducting frequent trainings to improve the capacity of organizations in providing direct and shelter assistance services for VOTs. They also emphasized the need to strengthen the existing coordination mechanisms, such as Network of Victims Assistance Service Providers (NoVASP) and National Referral Mechanisms (NRM).

At the end of the training, IOM provided a Handbook on Direct Assistance for Victims of Trafficking for all participants.

The service providers training was conducted with a support from the European Union.