A reintegration centre for victims of trafficking, the first of its kind, has recently opened in the Serbian capital, Belgrade.

The centre, managed by the non-governmental organization (NGO), Atina, and one of three programmes being implemented by the NGO, is supported by IOM and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) in a bid to provide a more structured and rounded assistance to an increasing number of trafficked victims.

IOM has worked together with Atina to design the three initiatives which also include a transition house for trafficked victims and the creation of a field support team.

Through the field support team and the reintegration centre, victims can get assistance such as accommodation, medical and legal help, family mediation, psychological counseling, as well as vocational training and help with further education.

The programmes have been designed to address what has been until now a rather ad hoc response to providing victim assistance and reflect the needs and experiences of people who have either already been helped or are currently being provided assistance. The initiatives will also allow for assistance to be given in rural areas and not just in the Serb capital.

Both official and IOM statistics show that the number of Serbian trafficked victims has been increasing in recent years. Out of 348 people helped by IOM between 2001 and October 2006, 71 were assisted this year alone, the majority of them Serbian nationals.

For further information please contact:

Jovana Skrnjug
IOM Belgrade
E-mail: jskrnjug@iom.int 

To find out more about Atina, please go to: www.atina.org.yu