Challenged to raise more for construction of TIP shelters

By Tione Andsen -Mana

Members for Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Funds Resource Mobilization team have been challenged to be vigilant in their plans in order to raise more funds for the construction of temporary shelters for the survivors of trafficking in the country.

Under Secretary (US) in the Ministry of Homeland Security, Irene Malumba made the challenge Wednesday when she opened training for TIP Funds Resource Mobilization Tem at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

 She said the constriction of temporary shelter is meant to provide security and safety to those that have been rescued from traffickers hence the need to help them in their integration process.

Malumba added that the resource mobilization process calls for the involvement of all stakeholders saying government alone could not be able to do it single handedly.

The Under Secretary believes the training would empower team members with new skills on how to mobilization resources for the work.

“We are hoping that the team will be able to reach out to institutions, government departments, agency Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and development partners to help with what they have to support the National TIP Coordinating Committee to do its work,” she explained. 

Malumba observed that the country was reducing reported cases of trafficking due to awareness campaigns that have been conducted in mote parts of the country.

“We are happy that traditional and religious leaders have been instrumental to encourage their subjects to be on the lookout and report any case of trafficking to Police,” she added

The US appealed to participants to take the training serious taking into account that their work would need their commitment in order to achieve the desired goals.

A member of the Mobilization Team, Fawzia Osman said the training designed to equip members to device ways and means on how to mobilize funds for the construction of shelter to house survivors of trafficking in persons.

She said the committee plans to hold a gala dinner dance on Friday at Sunbird capital Hotel to raise at least K50 million for a start.

“The initiative of constructing the shelter is pegged at K846 million and the team has outlined a number of activities in order to raise more funds,” Osman said.

She disclosed that the first temporary shelter would be first constructed in Lilongwe and they need more resources to do it.

United Nations Office for Drug and Crime (UNODC) Office provided the financial support for the training of the members.

Mana/tha