SIERRA LEONE: VIEWS ON UNICEF COUNTRY PROGRAM

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000333

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, IO/EDA (CATHLEEN CAROTHERS),USAID/GH (DALE
GIBB AND JAMILA SQUIRES)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE: VIEWS ON UNICEF COUNTRY PROGRAM
DOCUMENTS

REF: SECSTATE 64154


1. In response to reftel, post generally agrees with the
UNICEF draft country program document for Sierra Leone. Post
has a positive working relationship with UNICEF. Post
recommends UNICEF include additional information on the
Trafficking in Persons Project within its Sierra Leone Child
Protection Program. We encourage UNICEF to highlight how it
has utilized funding from the U.S. Department of State Global
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Fund to assist the Ministry of
Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs to formulate a
one-year (2007) plan of action on trafficking in persons and
has increased collaboration with the Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS) on trafficking issues.


2. As part of the Sierra Leone TIP program, UNICEF is
providing assistance to the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL)
to: 1) strengthen capacity through policy and legislative
reforms and training of personnel, especially in the Criminal
Justice System; 2) establish an effective and coordinated
mechanism to respond to issues of Trafficking in Persons,
including prevention and rapid response; 3) promote family
practices and community responses which better protect
persons, especially children from being trafficked; and 4)
create a greater awareness among policy makers, community
leaders, civil society, parents and communities on the
dangers of trafficking in persons.


3. We encourage UNICEF to include in the draft country
program document its plans and timelines to accelerate TIP
activities in late 2007. Those activities include: 1)
formulate a three-year (2008-2010) action plan for combating
trafficking in persons in Sierra Leone by September 30; 2)
train GoSL and NGO personnel on a standardized approach for
trafficking prevention, monitoring and protection of victims,
especially in areas bordering neighboring countries in
partnership with relevant GoSL bodies and other implementing
partners by June 30; 3) train GoSL Officials (Police,
Judiciary, and Immigration Officers) on the identification
and prosecution of TIP alleged offenders in partnership with
relevant GoSL bodies and other implementing partners by June
30; 4) sensitize community leaders from the districts falling
on border areas with neighboring countries on trafficking in
persons, the 2005 Anti-Trafficking Act and the referral
mechanisms in partnership with relevant GoSL bodies and other
implementing partners by mid summer; and 5) provide
assistance to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and
Children's Affairs and the Sierra Leone Police to establish
information systems on human trafficking.
HULL