Disasters and Human Trafficking: Learnings from the Syrian Refugee Crisis
Kezban Yagci Sokat, PhD & Didem Sahal Celik, MA | September 20 | 1:45-2:45 pm
Topic: Research, International | Knowledge Level: Advanced
Vulnerability to human trafficking increases during and post disasters (Stoklasa et al., 2021) which create additional operational challenges for policy makers as well as on-the-ground operations. Unfortunately, the number of disasters and their impact is increasing (Ruiter et al., 2020). COVID-19 and Ukrainian crisis have raised the concerns about the amplified human trafficking risk with complex crisis. However, there is limited research about the intersection of human trafficking and disasters. The purpose of this research is to present the nexus between disasters and human trafficking and share examples from complex disasters, like the Syrian refugee crisis. Through semi-structured interviews of 25 anti-trafficking and/or humanitarian practitioners, this presentation will first show the pathways to human trafficking during/after each type of disaster, the operational challenges for decision makers, the current state of awareness in this intersection, and the activities in the disaster response cycle to integrate human trafficking. Then, through field observations and analysis of past decade work in the Syrian refugee crisis, this study will present efforts on combating human trafficking through policy, training, public awareness initiatives, and partnership in Turkey. This study will highlight gaps and opportunities for international refugee management to combat human trafficking, especially for California, which has housed an increased number of refugees due to recent crises around the world. It will also provide initial learnings about refugees as beneficiaries from other complex disasters (i.e., recent Turkish/Syrian earthquakes). Participants will gain a deeper understanding for the nexus of different disaster and exploitation as well as emerging best practices for preventing and combating human trafficking post disasters.
Presentation Objectives:
· Present the link between disasters and human trafficking especially in the complex emergency settings
· Introduce examples for preventing labor trafficking among refugee population
· Describe learnings for international refugee management to combat human trafficking