OREANDA-NEWS. On 12 February 2008 was announced, that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Ukraine, a UN country team agency, and “Galnaftogas,” one of the leading oil companies in Ukraine, would sign a Memorandum of Intent on Cooperation in the Field of Combating Human Trafficking.

At the beginning of January 2008, adhering to its firm commitment to fight human trafficking, Galnaftogas placed counter-trafficking billboards at 12 OKKO gas stations in Lviv, Volyn and Zakarpatye regions of Ukraine. The billboards perform a preventive function, informing Ukrainians about the national toll-free phone hotline established within the framework of long-standing cooperation between IOM and the Ministry for Family, Youth and Sports of Ukraine.  The hotline provides those heading abroad with a way to ensure their safety from human traffickers when beyond the borders of Ukraine. Through concerted joint efforts and partnership, IOM and Galnaftogas aim to combat human trafficking and promote legal and safe means of migration for Ukrainian citizens. 
“In order to effectively counter such a phenomenon as trafficking in human beings it is imperative that we track the most recent tendencies of this complex problem. Here, information plays a critical role. We need to acknowledge the driving factors behind the rash steps embarked upon by some of our fellow citizens. Fundamental change must occur in the attitude of Ukrainians in regards to their country, labour, laws, earning money, and to life in general,” emphasized Mr. Yuriy Kuchabskiy, сhairman of Galnaftogas.
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Trafficking in human beings has assumed serious proportions in recent years and has become a modern migration and human rights challenge demanding a strong, comprehensive and coherent response from governments, private sector, civil society and the international community at large. An estimated 100,000 Ukrainians have been sold into slavery since 1991. 

“Only through strong and broad partnerships with various elements of Ukrainian society can trafficking be effectively combated. The development of this partnership with Galnaftogaz and the private sector in general is not only very important from the standpoint of eradicating trafficking in Ukraine but also serves as a highly encouraging example for others,” noted Mr. Fredric Larsson, IOM Counter-Trafficking Programme Coordinator.