Government of Sierra Leone Reinforces Support for Human Trafficking Victims with SLE50,000 Trust Fund Contribution

The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Finance, has reaffirmed its commitment to combat human trafficking and support its victims by transferring Fifty Thousand New Leones (SLE50,000) into the Victims of Human Trafficking (VOT) Trust Fund. This financial contribution is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to provide care and rehabilitation services to victims, particularly vulnerable women and children affected by this heinous crime.


An additional SLE50,000 is currently held at the Bank of Sierra Leone, with imminent plans to transfer these funds into the VOT Trust Fund Account. This initiative forms part of the Ministry of Finance’s regular quarterly allocations to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (ATIP) Task Force Secretariat, underscoring the government's commitment to ensuring that victims receive comprehensive support.

Dehunge Shiaka, Executive Director of the ATIP Task Force Secretariat, emphasized the importance of this financial backing in creating a robust support system for victims. The funding will not only assist with victim recovery but also contribute to the establishment of a shelter for male victims in the Western Area—filling a critical gap identified in the 2024 Global Trafficking in Persons Report by the U.S. Department of State. Currently, specialized shelters in the country cater exclusively to women, girls, and boys, leaving male victims underserved.


In addition to the government’s direct contribution, the effort to support victims of human trafficking has been further bolstered by a grant of Thirty-Five Thousand US Dollars (SLE805,000) from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The ATIP Task Force Secretariat is collaborating with the Ministry of Social Welfare to secure and implement this grant through the VOT Trust Fund over the next six months, expanding the impact of available resources.


The VOT Trust Fund was established under Section 11 of the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act of 2022 and was officially launched on February 23rd, 2024, by Her Excellency First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, who serves as the National Anti-Human Trafficking Champion. These financial contributions represent a crucial advancement in the government’s broader strategy to ensure the recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration of trafficking victims, empowering them to reclaim their lives and reintegrate into society.

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