Cairo – Egyptian television stars Asser Yassin and Nelly Karim helped launch a new counter-trafficking awareness campaign being overseen by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Egypt’s National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP) at a Ramadan Iftar celebration in Cairo on Tuesday, 14 May. 

The Iftar is observed during Ramadan. It is the evening break-fast held after the call to prayer.  

“Human trafficking threatens all communities and countries, whether they are developed, developing or least developed,” said Ambassador Naela Gabr, Chairperson of NCCPIM&TIP. “From this perspective, Egypt is keen on protecting its citizens, living inside and outside the country, from this crime. A comprehensive media campaign is therefore being launched to raise awareness about human trafficking and its forms, especially that some citizens can be subjected to exploitation while being unaware of its dangers, ramifications, and consequences.”  

The launch phase of the campaign consists of six animation videos that depict ways traffickers target and exploit victims. The videos will be disseminated on social and other media to raise awareness about the different forms of human trafficking and situations that could lead to exploitation.  

The launch event was hosted by NCCPIM&TIP and IOM Egypt and was attended by 210 members of the diplomatic community, government officials, civil society, businesses, as well as the entertainers Yassin and Karim. Asser Yassin narrated the videos and delivered an impassioned speech on the role of all Egyptians in combating human trafficking. 

As IOM Egypt’s Goodwill Ambassador, the television star Yassin summoned the involvement of all members of Egyptian society: “I call on all of us to be proactive in our communities; to share what we hear and see tonight, to make informed choices as consumers and citizens that bring us closer to a world without human trafficking, to report those abuses that we see, and to work to ensure that every person who migrates may do so safely and with dignity,” he said. 

Laurent de Boeck, IOM Chief of Mission to the Arab Republic of Egypt, opened the Iftar by saying: “One of the first and most effective measures in preventing the crime of trafficking is to raise public awareness on its dangers and repercussions. It is crucial that you and I, we all together pass a positive message on our future, and let doors be open to humanity, generosity, compassion and goodwill. These values are essential in all societies.” 

The campaign and event were developed with the generous contributions of the Government and the People of the Kingdom of The Netherlands.  

This campaign supports the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities; Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. It is also in line with the objectives of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) Vision 2030, particularly its Social Justice Pillar, and the National Strategies for Combating Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons of Egypt. 

For more information, please contact Omar Awwad at IOM Egypt, Tel: +20 1032 049 144; Email: oawwad@iom.int