DHAKA, Aug 17, 2026 (BSS) - The International Organization for Migration 
(IOM-UN Migration) and the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of Ministry of 
Finance of Bangladesh have signed a 24-month project to strengthen 
Bangladesh's efforts to prevent and respond to human trafficking facilitated 
through digital technologies.

The project, "Countering Cyber-Enabled Human Trafficking Through Technology", 
funded by the IOM Development Fund, will be implemented by IOM Bangladesh in 
partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
 
The project aims to support longer-term efforts to prevent cyber-enabled 
human trafficking in Bangladesh. Its findings and training resources are 
expected to contribute to future policy and programme development and to 
strengthen existing national and inter-agency efforts to combat trafficking, 
said a press release here today.

Responding to growing concerns over the use of social media, online 
platforms, job portals and other digital technologies by traffickers to 
target, recruit, control and exploit people, the project will focus on three 
key areas including building evidence and knowledge, strengthening law 
enforcement capacity and improving digital literacy in communities.
 
The agreement was signed by Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of ERD, and 
Dr Laura Tomm Bonde, chief of mission of IOM Bangladesh, in the presence of 
AKM Sohel, additional secretary and wing chief of UN Wing, ERD, and 
representatives of relevant government agencies including Ministry of Home 
Affairs and IOM, according to an ERD press release.

"Technology is transforming the way people communicate, seek employment and 
connect with opportunities, but it can also be exploited by traffickers," 
said Dr. Laura Tomm Bonde. "This project will help strengthen the evidence, 
skills and community awareness needed to ensure that technology becomes part 
of the solution rather than a tool for exploitation," she added.

"The project will contribute to the Government of Bangladesh's efforts to 
prevent the misuse of technology for human trafficking while promoting 
technology as a means to counter human trafficking. Its overall outcome is to 
enable government stakeholders and communities to take informed action to 
prevent, respond to and mitigate the risks of cyber-enabled human 
trafficking," Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky emphasized.