As Ukraine reaches the three-year mark of full-scale war, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has published a study on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in the Context of Displacement Caused by the War in Ukraine.
Large-scale displacement is widely recognised as a key factor increasing vulnerability to human trafficking. Since February 2022, more than 6.7 million people from Ukraine have been displaced, placing them at heightened risk of trafficking and exploitation.
The study finds that national protection schemes, such as visa-free entry, temporary protection, and anti-trafficking measures across Europe, have played a crucial role in mitigating trafficking and smuggling risks. However, ongoing challenges remain.
Since the start of the war, Ukraine investigated 277 cases of human trafficking between 2022 and 2023, involving trafficking for labour exploitation (49%), sexual exploitation (29%), and forced criminal activities (21%). 22 cases of child trafficking were identified. While labour exploitation and forced criminal activities have increased, the proportion of sexual exploitation cases has declined.
In EU countries, 402 cases of trafficking of Ukrainian citizens were recorded in 2022, compared to 65 cases in 2021—an increase that occurred in the context of a tripling of the Ukrainian population in the EU.
Due to the ongoing conflict, trafficking risks have increased. The study highlights the need to strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian anti-trafficking stakeholders to effectively identify and prevent both domestic and cross-border trafficking. Additionally, it is fundamental to maintain and reinforce national protection schemes for Ukrainian refugees across Europe, ensuring safe housing, legal support, and safeguards to prevent traffickers from exploiting the vulnerabilities of those fleeing the war.
Coming week, La Strada International will publish a case assessment report based on 42 cases of exploitation and human trafficking related to Ukraine.
Copyright: UNODC