For Immediate Release
Press Release
New U.S. Government Assistance to Boost Palau’s Counter Trafficking Efforts.
The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), formalized its US$2.5 million partnership with the Republic of Palau to support the government’s efforts to prevent trafficking in persons, protect victims, and prosecute parties involved in the crime.
On February 1, 2024 U.S. Ambassador Joel Ehrendreich joined Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr, and Vice President and Minister of Justice J. Uduch Sengebau Senior in announcing the expansion of USAID’s Pacific Regional Initiative and Support for More Effective Counter Trafficking in Persons (Pacific RISE CTIP) project at the West Plaza Hotel together with representatives from government and civil society organizations.
Implemented in partnership with The Asia Foundation, Pacific RISE CTIP is a five-year project that is already operating in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and Tonga.
The project is designed to strengthen national response to protect, prevent, and prosecute against trafficking in persons. To date, the U.S. government, through USAID, has provided US$12.5 million combat human trafficking in the Pacific Islands region.
“I commend the government of Palau for its strong determination to tackle trafficking crimes, construct a national shelter, and raise public awareness including with foreign migrant communities,” said Ambassador Ehrendreich.
“The United States is proud to partner with Palau to implement this important initiative to advance our shared values of protecting and promoting fundamental human rights, dignity, and well-being of all people in Palau.”
Through Pacific RISE-CTIP, USAID will continue to work to counter trafficking in persons through a whole-of-society approach that engages with Pacific governments, civil society and the private sector.
