U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Ms. Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat visited YPSA on 21 December 2015 in Cox’sbazar. She has visited YPSA’s Shelter Home for the trafficking survivors “Shanta Niloy” in Cox’sbazar and attended a sharing meeting with the ANIRBAN members and Peer Leaders.
Ms. Amber B. Brooks, Director, Democracy and Governance, Ms. Sumana Masud, USAID, Nusrat Hossain, PAS and USAID & US Embassy delegates & Winrock International Team were present with the U.S. Ambassador. Md. Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive of YPSA was present during their visit.
The Ambassador has discussed about the current situation of illegal human trafficking and smuggling from Bangladesh through the risky sea route of Bay of Bengal. She also discussed how the ANIRBAN & Peer Leaders were working to reduce human trafficking, how they could continue in the future and how the US government could work together on this issue.
Several trafficking agents are transporting Bangladeshi people to Malaysia, with false promises of work, through the Cox’sbazar sea route. Most of the victims consist of aspiring migrant workers from different districts of the country. These people risk their lives to make it to their destination illegally.
YPSA has been working on this issue for several years with the support of USAID and Winrock International.
