The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) leadership from its office in Thailand met recently with representatives from the United Nations to discuss ADRA’s Keep Girls Safe Project, an initiative that combats human trafficking in Thailand. With approximately 800,000 prostitutes under the age of 18, and 200,000 of these aged 12 or younger, Thailand is one of the sex trade’s worst offenders.

The Keep Girls Safe Project works to reduce the threat of commercial sexual exploitation to vulnerable girls and young women from disadvantaged regions of northern Thailand. It provides educational support for the girls, supplying uniforms, textbooks, stationery, and transportation, along with training in vocational skills. Depending on need, some also receive assistance with living expenses and housing. The project works to empower the girls, as well as raise awareness in the community to the risks and problems of human trafficking.

“Activities to raise awareness will ensure that the target group, their families, and the general community are aware of the dangers of the sex trade and thus enable them to make positive choices that will reduce the incidence of commercial sexual exploitation of their children in Thailand,” said Greg Young, country director for ADRA Thailand.

The meeting took place at the United Nations Building in Bangkok with Young, Sunita Winitkoonchai, ADRA Thailand program coordinator, and Titima Wanwilaiwan, regional coordinator for ADRA Thailand representing ADRA. United Nations representatives included Orawan Raweekoon, information assistant for the United Nations Inter Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP), and Pannada Changmanee, Thailand officer for the UNIAP National Project Coordination.

Young opened the proceedings with a presentation of the work currently under implementation to battle the huge problem of human trafficking in Thailand. The presentation also emphasized ADRA Thailand’s strong partnership and linkages to other local non-government organizations (NGOs) conducting similar programs.

“The meeting was very beneficial for both sides,” commented Young. “It’s important that ADRA works with government agencies, the community, and other NGOs to better respond to the needs of the children.”

Following the meeting and presentation, Changmanee extended a warm welcome to ADRA Thailand, and formally invited ADRA into the UNIAP network, requesting ADRA share vital and relevant information to UNIAP and other stakeholders in the network. ADRA Thailand now contributes regularly to the UNIAP electronic newsletter, workshops, and meetings relating to human trafficking.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, or ethnicity.