Nicaragua - The IOM office in Managua has launched a pilot project to provide reintegration assistance to victims of trafficking in Chinandega province.

Chinandega province, located in the southwest on the Honduran border, is considered the most vulnerable to human trafficking in the country.

Of 26 victims assisted to return home between January and October 2006, 13 were from communities in Chinandega. The victims were taken to El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, México and the United States. Government authorities estimate that for every case that comes to their attention, there are three others that remain unreported.

In Nicaragua poverty, unemployment, lack of information about the dangers of human trafficking and migrant smuggling and abuse within the family, are the main factors pushing young women to seek a better life elsewhere.

The pilot project will focus on providing return and reintegration assistance to the victims including shelter, medical and psychosocial assistance, as well as working with partners to strengthen local and national networks working with victims of trafficking and drafting a strategy to standardize the assistance provided to victims.

At the same time, IOM Nicaragua has joined regional counter trafficking efforts underway between IOM, the Inter American Development Bank and the Ricky Martin Foundation through the Llama y Vive (Call and Live) information campaign and information and assistance hotline.

The campaign’s hotline provides free, confidential, 24/7 information to raise awareness about human trafficking amongst potential victims and the general public a provide advice, assistance and protection to victims.

A message from world famous pop star Ricky Martin is at the centre of the campaign. Television and radio public service announcements, posters and other printed material will carry Ricky Martin’s message to potential victims and the general public.

Llama y Vive is also underway in Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Peru.

IOM is also working with the Ministries of Interior and of the Family and with the Nicaraguan Counter Trafficking Coalition composed of officials, NGOs, civil society and religious personnel.