A communication campaign on preventing and stopping human trafficking was launched in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai on November 10 to raise public awareness of the issue.

The event was organised by the Yen Bai Provincial People’s Committee, World Vision Vietnam and the Vietnam Women’s Union provincial chapter. The organisers called on local Party organisations, local authorities, social organisations, and media agencies to join the fight against human trafficking, helping increase general vigilance and their knowledge relating to the issue.

The campaign is designed to provide local people with the necessary skills, including preventative measures, to deal with this crime, as well as information on the risk of unplanned migration.

Yen Bai authorities have committed to step up crackdowns on human traffickers while providing assistance to rescued victims in returning to normal life.

The country is seeing an increase in human trafficking crimes, with nearly 3,000 cases uncovered since 2005, involving more than 5,500 victims.

Yen Bai alone reported 62 cases between 2005 and 2010. Among the 144 victims of those cases, 97 have been rescued and now lead stable lives. In the first six months of this year, the provincial police detected eight cases involving 13 women and 2 children as victims.

After the ceremony, participants signed their names in support of the establishment of an anti-human trafficking day.-VNA