BANGKOK, October 17, 2014 – Today, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a $1.3 million grant to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for a new behavior change campaign to fight human trafficking and exploitation in the Asia Pacific region.

“This campaign will leverage the power of media, technology and celebrities to inspire young people and their communities to act against human trafficking, and encourage others to do the same,” said Michael Yates, Director of the USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia. “We are pleased to continue our support across Asia for programs to call attention to the crime of human trafficking and help put a stop to it.”

Human trafficking is one of the world’s fastest-growing criminal activities, and particularly prominent in Asia Pacific.

“Through this new partnership with USAID, we will ensure that young people across the region are empowered with the knowledge and tools they need to take a stand against human trafficking in their communities,” said Jonathan Martens, IOM’s anti-trafficking specialist based in Bangkok.

The public launch of the new campaign will take place in late 2014.