The Theme for this year is “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind”. The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed annually on July 30 to raise awareness about human trafficking and to promote and protect the rights of trafficking victims.

While no activities are planned locally to mark the day, in this case, raising awareness is an important part of the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA)’s work, and is the crucial first step towards ensuring residents understand modern slavery and human trafficking.

Disasters, whether man-made or natural, have the potential to increase an individual’s vulnerability to human trafficking. Man-made disasters include political conflict, war, and terrorism. Natural disasters typically refer to the effects of climate change and extreme weather events such as droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, and floods. Disasters worsen vulnerabilities to human trafficking by creating problems such as displacement, public infrastructure failure, financial strain, and emotional distress.

Human trafficking is the act of compelling someone to work, for little or no pay, through force, fraud, or coercion.

Leave no one behind” is the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).