HUNDREDS OF TRAFFICKING VICTIMS ARE BEING FREED
An urgent situation is developing along the border of Myanmar involving scam centers that were trafficking tens of thousands of people. This story has been covered by ABC News, the BBC, Reuters, the Bangkok Post, and many other news outlets, and our team in Bangkok is helping in various ways.
In recent weeks, pressure from many governments, NGOs, and media has grown against the scam centers being operated just across the border in Myanmar. Thai officials made strategic decisions to cut power, fuel, and internet to force these illegal operations to close down. The result has been the release of hundreds of trafficking victims from at least 19 countries who had been tricked into working at these locations. Reports indicate that there may be 10,000 or more victims waiting to be released in the coming days and weeks.
According to a 2023 report from the United Nations Human Rights Office, an estimated 220,000 people have been tricked and trapped into working for crypto fraud, money laundering, illegal gambling, and romantic scams, in Myanmar and Cambodia.
NightLight has been involved with this issue since 2022 and has assisted 23 victims with direct services through shelter and repatriation. We have assisted in translating for many more. Our team on the ground in Bangkok is currently working with Global Advance Projects and Acts of Mercy International, NGOs that are leading the effort to address the immediate needs of victims and working to get them home via their embassies in Thailand. The expectation is that the foreign nations will assist their citizens with returning home once they've been identified as victims of human trafficking in Thailand, but some nations like Ethiopia are either in conflict or lack the resources to assist their own citizens.
NightLight's role so far has been to support the NGOs' efforts in preparing for thousands of victims coming across the border. Annie is providing translation services for victim screening and identification, and the team with her are purchasing supplies and packing hygiene bags for hundreds. This allows the team on the ground to focus on logistics and communicating with the government to assess, screen, shelter and repatriate thousands. We're renting hotel rooms for our staff to stay near the area and be available to support the efforts as needed. Our team reports that some survivors are in very poor condition: they have been tortured, starved, and some have tuberculosis and other illnesses. Others seem to be in better condition but are still traumatized from their experiences.Â
This is a quickly developing and ever-changing situation, so we don't have full clarity on how NightLight will be called to respond, or what the full scope of the needs will be. What we do know is that we're committed to seeing these survivors get back home and live in freedom. For some, that may take more time and financial assistance than others whose countries can afford to help them.Â
If you have it on your heart to give to help us respond to this situation, please give to NightLight Bangkok's Greatest Need Fund. We'll be using funds as needed to aid in the response. Our current focus is working with the primary NGOs and Thai authorities to ensure all efforts are well-coordinated for the survivors' best interests. Please also consider keeping our team and these survivors in your prayers—for strength, patience, wisdom, and healing. We are so grateful for their freedom and the opportunity to help them in this moment!
