Interior Ministry employees to benefit from handheld camera to prevent child trafficking from Ukraine

Chisinau, 26 Jan. /MOLDPRES/- UNICEF in Moldova donated 240 handheld cameras and equipment to the subdivisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) to help prevent the trafficking of children and women from Ukraine.

According to the MAI, the cameras will be given to the security staff, who operate throughout the country and at five border points, including Palanca, Tudora and Leușeni. The equipment will allow law enforcers to collect audio-video recordings of refugees arriving and departing from the main border crossing points, as well as those who decide to stay in the country, becoming an effective tool when large flows of travelers are recorded. At the same time, the equipment will allow the recording of audio-video evidence for the purpose of criminal prosecution of criminals, such as traffickers or abusers.

Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, UNICEF has called on governments in the region to take action to provide safety for children. "Many Ukrainian children cross the border accompanied by neighbors, distant relatives or alone, thus they are exposed to a high risk of abuse and exploitation. The camera will strengthen the range of child protection services that UNICEF has offered since the beginning of the conflict", said Maha Damaj, UNICEF representative in Moldova.

The donation has a value of 300 thousand dollars. So far, over 600 thousand refugees from Ukraine have entered Moldova, including over 100 thousand children. Almost 800 of them were separated from their parents or were unaccompanied.

Photo: MAI