In the first half of 2014, IOM in Slovakia helped 23 migrants to return from Slovakia to 13 home countries and provided comprehensive assistance to 12 Slovak citizens who became victims of trafficking in human beings abroad. IOM Migration Information Centre in Bratislava and Kosice counselled 1,113 clients.

During the first half of 2014, IOM Bratislava provided assistance to 12 Slovak citizens who became victims of trafficking in human beings abroad. Seven of all identified victims were women and five were men. Cases of forced labour, especially domestic servitude, made up most of these cases. IOM clients have been exploited mainly in Great Britain (75%), but also in the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. IOM Bratislava helped 9 victims with their return to Slovakia, i.e. provided them with assistance during their return from abroad as well as reintegration assistance in Slovakia.

During the first six months of 2014 IOM staff provided 1,047 consultations on the National Helpline for Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings (0800 800 818) and identified 2 victims of trafficking with human beings through this Helpline.

More information on Counter-trafficking in Human Beings is available on www.iom.sk.

During the first six months of 2014, IOM Migration Information Centre (MIC) in Bratislava and Kosice assisted 1,113 clients. MIC provided clients with 1,821 personal consultations, consultations via e-mail or phone consultations at the Helpline 0850 211 478. Advice and guidance on important areas of life and residence of foreigners in Slovakia available on the MIC's website has been accesed by 68,377 visitors.

For more information about the MIC please visit the website: www.mic.iom.sk.

From January until the end of June 2014, IOM helped 23 migrants who could not or did not want to stay in Slovakia, who decided to return home and asked IOM for assistance with assisted voluntary return. Most migrants have returned to Ukraine, India, Moldova and Turkey. For the first time since 2004, IOM assisted with the voluntary return of migrants to Mexico and Nigeria. As a result, the number of countries to which migrants have returned from Slovakia with IOM increased to 56 and the number of returned migrants to 1,132.

Within the IOM Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme (AVRR), IOM provides migrants with assistance in returning home. In the first half of 2014, IOM provided reintegration assistance worth € 26,222.77 in total to 16 individuals or entire families who returned with IOM to Afghanistan, China, Iraq, Mexico, Moldova, Pakistan, Russia, Ukraine and Vietnam. This support was mostly used for setting up small business start-ups, for covering the migrants’ basic needs and creating dignified living conditions, and for health care.

More information about AVRR you can find at www.avr.iom.sk.

Support of IOM Bratislava activities and projects:

IOM Bratislava implements the Programme of Return and Reintegration for Trafficked Persons as a part of the national Programme of Support and Protection for Victims of Human Trafficking, which is financed by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. Operation of the National Helpline for Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings 0800 800 818 is financed by the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. Technical operation of the helpline is provided by Slovak Telekom, a. s.

Voluntary Return and Reintegration in Country of Origin (Individual Project). The project is co-funded by the European Union from the European Return Fund. Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows.

Migration Information Centre to Support Integration of Migrants in Slovakia (phase VII) – Individual project. The project is co-funded by the European Union from the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals. Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows.