TIP IN TURKEY: EMERGENCY HOTLINE OPERATIONAL

UNCLAS ANKARA 006691 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, G. INL, INL/CTR, DRL, EUR/PGI, EUR/SE DEPARTMENT FOR VALERIE KWOK USAID E&E/ECA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCRM PHUM PGOV SMIG PREF KWMN TU TIP IN TURKEY SUBJECT: TIP IN TURKEY: EMERGENCY HOTLINE OPERATIONAL (90-0800-211-6065) REF: A. ANK 6690 ¶B. ANK 6688 ¶C. ANK 6687 ¶1. (U) On December 2, 2004, Turk Telekom connected Turkey's first toll-free hotline (90-0800-211-6065) for victims of human trafficking. Human Resources Development Foundation (HRDF) staff will initially field calls from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday until Russian- and Turkish-language professional and volunteer counselor-operators are available to extend the hours of operation. According to Executive Director and Hotline Administrator Demet Gural, HRDF is currently interviewing applicants. ¶2. (U) HRDF Trafficking officer Tugba Dunder answered Emboff phone call to the hotline, verifying that the line is connected. Operators are physically located at HRDF Istanbul, a permanent location away from the temporary Istanbul shelter facility. The toll-free number is accessible nationwide. ¶3. (U) Where the opportunity exists, Post encourages TIP officers in source and surrounding countries to share the TIP emergency hotline number (90-0800-211-6065) with local anti-TIP NGOs, consulates, and other organizations capable of distributing the number to potential trafficking victims bound for Turkey. EDELMAN