Trafficking in human beings: EU to implement Common Plan to address the risks for refugees from Ukraine

On 11 May, the EU Solidarity Platform committed to implement a Common Anti-Trafficking Plan to address the risks of trafficking in human beings and support potential victims among those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The Solidarity Platform is the main EU coordination and operational mechanism set up immediately after the war in Ukraine began. It brings together representatives of EU countries, Schengen Associated Member States, EU Agencies, Ukrainian authorities, and partners such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR.

The Plan has been developed under the lead of the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator and with support of the EU Agencies and Member States. It aims at raising awareness, reinforcing the prevention against trafficking in human beings, enhancing the law enforcement and judicial response, as well as improving identification and support to victims.

The Plan also addresses cooperation at global level and with non-EU countries, especially Moldova and Ukraine.

As of 6 May, over 5.4 million people have arrived in the European Union since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. The vast majority of the persons fleeing Ukraine are women and children. Over 13,000 unaccompanied and separated children have been registered in the EU so far. Data at EU level shows that women and children are particularly vulnerable to trafficking in human beings: 75% of all victims in the EU and 92% of the victims trafficked for sexual exploitation, are women and girls, while children represent nearly a quarter of the victims.

Find out more

Press release

Common Anti-Trafficking Plan

Ukraine: EU and IOM launch nationwide information campaign to prevent human trafficking in wartime

Aid organisations sound alarm over trafficking risk to women and children fleeing Ukraine – what you can do to stay safe