A city with a hill in the background in Greece. This is not a confirmed instance of human trafficking. ©2022 Ottr Dan on Unsplash

Funded by IPA's Human Trafficking Research Initiative (HTRI) and in collaboration with UNHCR, researchers conducted a randomized evaluation to assess the impact of a two-way information counseling program in reducing risk of trafficking among forced migrants residing in Greece.

People who flee their place of habitual residence are at high risk of human trafficking and abuse, particularly while they seek legal status in their country of asylum (ICMPD 2018). There are currently 95,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Greece, where traffickers conduct transit and in-country operations (A21 2020). How does raising awareness about access to services and information reduce refugees' and asylum seekers' vulnerability to exploitation? What factors shape whether improving access to information can reduce vulnerability?

Funded by HTRI and in collaboration with UNHCR, researchers conducted a randomized evaluation to assess the impact of a two-way information counseling program in reducing risk of trafficking among forced migrants residing in Greece. The program enables participants to ask questions and receive guidance from partners of International Rescue Committee (IRC) Hellas via social media and mobile messaging apps. A total of 3,000 migrants were randomly assigned to either receive the two-way information counseling, one-way static information via a website link, or serve as a comparison group. Results will inform optimal and cost-efficient mechanisms in providing information to support and protect vulnerable and mobile populations.

Results are forthcoming.

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