A communication campaign was launched in the central province of Quang Tri on July 15 aiming to raise public awareness of fighting human-trafficking in areas bordering Laos.

Organised by the Steering Committee on Crime Prevention and Control of the Government and the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) Central Committee, the campaign looks to encourage people to constantly enhance their knowledge of the issue as a way to protect themselves and their relatives from the crime.

People are also called to strictly abide by legal regulations on human -trafficking prevention and join in denouncing criminal deeds.

The combat against cross-border human trafficking is not easy when Vietnam shares with Laos a borderline of 2,000 kilometers which is connected by 35 border gates of various types and numerous jungle roads.

According to the General Police Department on Crime Prevention and Control under the Ministry of Public Security, from 2005 to 2013 authorities in the localities bordering Laos brought to light 85 human trafficking cases with 234 victims.

As much as 80 percent of the trafficking cases target women and children. However, in recent time, traffickers have also shown their interests in men, newborns and human organs.

Traffickers at home or abroad often come up with promises of high wages or take advantage legal loopholes in marriage, child adoption, labour export or travelling to deceive vulnerable people.

In recent years, the VWU worked closely with ministries and relevant sectors and societies at all levels to organise communication activities helping the public gain full understanding of the problem, contributing to reducing the number of human trafficking cases and enabling the victims to reintegrate into the community.-VNA