The handover and opening ceremony of the Transit Shelter for Human Trafficking Victims in Myawaddy Township, Kayin State took place on 19th December, 2014.

This ceremony was attended by Mr. Akinori TAKASHIMA, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Police Brigadier General Win Khaung (Central Body of Anti-Trafficking in Persons), committee chairman and committee members of the construction project and local residents.

At the ceremony, Police Brig General Win Khaung stated, “Human trafficking victims suffered from mental and physical problems. In the past, when there was no shelter in Myawaddy, victims were transfered to Mawlamying shelter to receive necessary services which took long hours on bad roads. The supported short-term refuge shelter will be used for the human trafficked victims coming back from Thailand to receive counseling and rehabilitation services. I am sure that the constructed building will bring success to anti-trafficking movement of Myanmar.” He concluded his speech by expressing his deepest gratitude to the Government of Japan and its people for the support.

Following that speech, Mr. TAKASHIMA stated, “the Myawaddy Transit Shelter for Human Trafficking Victims is supported by the Government of Japan under its Grant Assistance for Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme. In 2011, GGP funded the first support for a transit shelter in Muse Township, Shan State, then, the second support was for a project in Kawthaung Township, Taninthari Region in 2014. We are glad to know people are putting forth every effort for eradicating human trafficking in Myanmar.” Finally, he encouraged for well maintenance of the constructed building for long-term sustainability.

The Japanese Government provided US$115,839 under its Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme for the construction of Transit Shelter for Human Trafficking Victims in Myawaddy Township, Kayin State. The Government of Japan, under its GGP Scheme, is planning to continue various assistances in the future, and anticipates that the assistance will further strengthen existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

Ribbon cut in front of Transit Shelter for Human Trafficking Victims	Group photo infront of new Transit Shelter