The government of Barbados is reinforcing its pledge to reduce the incidents of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) with the launch of an awareness campaign under the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) CariSECURE project, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

U.S. Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, Linda S. Taglialatela, Barbados Attorney General, Dale Marshall, USAID Regional Representative, Clinton White, and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Ugo Blanco participated in the launch on March 9, 2022.  At the event, new and engaging communication products were introduced to the public, including a jingle performed by Edwin Yearwood, a popular Barbadian musical artist, a video Public Service Announcement, a logo and other informational graphics which will be distributed through traditional and new media.

In her remarks U.S. Ambassador Taglialatela noted, “The well-being of vulnerable men, women, and children is at stake and requires a steadfast commitment to keeping them safe from those who are bent on their exploitation.” The Ambassador also commended the partnership between the Governments of Barbados and the United States, the UNDP, and others.

Barbados Attorney General Marshall stated, “Every citizen has to be involved… This sensitisation campaign that we [launched yesterday] will provide [citizens] with the ammunition and tools [to identify human trafficking].”

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Blanco in his remarks shared, “It is through collaboration and partnerships such as this, both with the Barbados Government and USAID, that we can begin to ensure that trafficking in persons is eliminated in Barbados.”

The campaign is an important component of the Barbados government’s strategy to strengthen its Trafficking in Persons (TIP) response. Contributing to these efforts, the USAID-funded CariSECURE program has supported training sessions and workshops on TIP with more than 70 officers of the Barbados Police Service; launched a new national action plan; conducted a TIP knowledge and perception survey; digitized aspects of the criminal case management system; and created mechanisms for victims and witnesses to testify virtually, when needed.

USAID through the CariSECURE project has contributed more than US$9 million to support regional citizen security, and this is one step in the joint effort to enhance crime fighting in the Caribbean.

The OAG, with support from USAID and UNDP through CariSECURE, will continue the implementation of a number of activities targeted at building capacity of actors within the criminal justice system thereby reducing the incidence of trafficking in persons.

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