For information only - not an official document

UNIS/CP/635
3 February 2011

UN Trafficking Fund Announces New Grant Opportunities for NGOs as Donations Near US$ 1 Million

VIENNA, 3 February (UN Information Service) - The first steps toward the establishment of a UN-led 'Small Grants Facility' for victims of human trafficking were taken today in a move aimed at strengthening on-the-ground assistance to survivors of this brutal crime. A public call will be made over the coming months through the UNODC website.

The provision of these financial grants is an integral component of the UN Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking which was established by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in late 2010.

Announced by the five-panel expert Board of Trustees during their inaugural meeting in Vienna from 1-3 February, the Small Grants Facility works toward financially supporting grassroots organizations at the forefront of providing victims services.

Following its formation in November, the Trust Fund has received nearly US$ 1 million in donations from the public and private sector.

"The Trust Fund affords people the world over the opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of trafficking victims. Individuals, companies and governments can all play a part. Each and every contribution, big and small, will make a difference in the life of someone who has been trafficked. I ask you to generously consider supporting this fund as we move to help rebuild lost lives," said Yury Fedotov, UNODC Executive Director.

The five members of the Board of Trustees appointed by the Secretary-General are:

• Aleya Hammad (former Executive Director/Assistant Director General of the World Health Organization; Chair of the Women's Leadership Council of the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT); and a driving force in the End Human Trafficking Now campaign)

• Virginia Murillo Herrera (Executive President of the Costa Rican NGO 'Defense of Girls and Boys International')

• Klara Skrivankova (Trafficking Programme Coordinator for Anti-Slavery International)

• Saisuree Chutikul (Chair of the National Subcommittee on Combating Trafficking in Children and Women of Thailand's Ministry of Social Development and Human Security; and member of the National Commission on Women's Affairs and Family and National Commission on Children and Youth)

• Nick Kinsella (former CEO of the United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre; and member of the National Criminal Intelligence Service and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary).

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For more information please contact:

Media enquiries:

Kevin Town
Associate Public Information Officer
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-5575
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-5575
Email: kevin.town@unodc.org

Trust Fund and Small Grants Facility enquiries:

Tuesday Reitano
UNODC
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-5116
Email: tuesday.reitano@unodc.org

For more information on the Small Grants Facility, please regularly visit the Blue Heart Facebook Group or the UNODC website at www.unodc.org/humantraffickingfund