Palau Anti-Human Trafficking Unit

The work continues...

First and foremost, we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our partners for always ensuring we have a seat at the table. Your continued collaboration allows us to expand our reach and strengthen our impact!

This month, we sustained our outreach efforts and successfully concluded our online trivia series, with the final winner receiving jumper cables, a sling bag, and a gas voucher. We were also grateful for the opportunity to visit Ngarchelong Elementary School, where we reinforced the importance of emotional health, an essential factor in reducing the vulnerability of our youth to trafficking.

In addition, the unit participated in the “Healthy Youth, Healthy Future” campaign spearheaded by the United Nations Coordinator’s Office (Micronesia), UNICEF, and the Ministry of Health and Human Services. We were proud to stand alongside partners including the Bureau of Agriculture (MAFE), the NCD Office (MHHS), as well as local athletes and content creators. The event highlighted practical ways our youth can take to strengthen their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Let’s continue our collective fight against trafficking by empowering our communities, supporting our youth, and working together to build a safer, healthier future for all! Keep an eye out for upcoming activities.

With love,
AHTU Team

As we wrapped up February, the National Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we were able to strengthen our counter-trafficking efforts in collaboration with stakeholders. Various educational outreach and awareness campaigns were conducted to increase public knowledge, and strengthen prevention efforts against human trafficking and related issues, including drug-related risks and emotional health.

We would like to thank everyone, especially our partners who showed their support, whether it was through participation, sharing resources, or helping raise awareness; your contributions truly made a difference!!! A special shout-out to the School Health Unit and Bureau of Behavioral Health (Ministry of Health & Human Services), Blue Heart Association, Office of Labor Compliance, and of course, our family from Bureau of Public Safety (Ministry of Justice,) for their continued support throughout the month, allowing us to reach more communities and make a real impact!

The work continues, so stay tuned for upcoming activities, and let’s keep standing strong in the fight against human trafficking!!!

With love,
AHTU team

As our online trivia comes to an end, we want to make this last question as meaningful and engaging as possible. With that said, in addition to the initial prize which are jumper cables, we will throw in a $20 gas voucher and a sling bag (if the winner is a 🧔🏽‍♂️) or a hand bag (if the winner is a 👩🏽), or whatever bag the winner prefers.

-> IDENTIFY TWO FACTORS THAT PUT PEOPLE AT RISK FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND A SHORT EXPLANATION FOR EACH.

Reminder: Must be following our page to be eligible. You get an extra drawing if you share this post, but make sure it’s set to public so we can view it or else it won’t count.

A big thank you to those who have participated in our online trivia so far! Please find below the third question of the month:

Guess which two of the five statements is a myth and explain why to win an amazing prize!

1). Human trafficking only impacts foreigners.
2). Human trafficking is highly profitable.
3). Victims of trafficking are always kidnapped.
4). HT affects both adults and children.
5). HT has been occurring in Palau for over a decade.

*Must be following our page to be eligible. If you share the the post, you will get an extra extry!*

Alii everyone! Happy Monday!

Here is the second trivia Q of the month:

List at least four different types/forms of human trafficking.

Note: If you participated last week, you’re welcome to answer the second question as well. Must be following our page to be eligible!

Alii everyone!

We are starting off February, our Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Month, with a series of trivia questions. We will be posting a question every week and will be drawing a winner every Friday! Answering the question correctly will automatically enter you into the drawing! We encourage everyone to participate, help spread awareness, and have the chance to win some awesome prizes:

1). Bluetooth speaker
2). Handheld vacuum
3). Jumper Cables
4). Power bank

Here is the first question of the month:

In what year was the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (formerly known as the Anti-Human Trafficking Office) established, and who served as its Executive Director?

Today, we had the privilege of witnessing the President sign Proclamation 26-420, declaring February as Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Month! We want to thank our partners in law-enforcement for being present and for their continued support in our counter-trafficking efforts. Be on the lookout on social media as we will be posting a series of activities to observe the occasion!

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller

We are pleased to share that our unit had the pleasure of collaborating on another intersession program hosted by Blue Heart Association. Focusing on youth under 18, the Learning Cookout was more than just fun and games; it was about creating a safe space where participants felt comfortable being vulnerable, building new friendships, and stepping out of their comfort zones!

Programs like this not only contributes to trafficking prevention measures, but fosters greater youth engagement and leadership development. We are truly happy to have been able to contribute and helped facilitate activities that strengthened teamwork, confidence, communication, and empathy. It was heartwarming to see many other stakeholders involved, and we hope that this opens up the path to more collaborations and sustainable partnerships in the future!

The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit expresses its sincere appreciation to the Regional Support Office of the Bali Process and IOM - UN Migration for the opportunity for our team members to participate in two highly significant events. Victim Advocate Amber Osima was selected to attend the inaugural RSO Alumni Camp alongside 22 other alumni delegates from 9 countries, in addittion to the fourth RSO Border Forum, bringing together 110 delegates representing 34 members states and international/civil society organizations. Both gatherings consisted of hands-on and practical sessions designed to build operational skills, close gaps in intergency coordination, enhance capacity for victim identification as well as to counter the misuse of technology.

Detective Lt. Virginia Umayam attended the Annual Meeting of the Bali Process Working Group on Trafficking In Persons and the Technical Experts Group on Returns & Reintegration. The agenda covered a range of discussions on strengthening innovation and collaboration across the trafficking cycle, including expanding safe and decent migration pathways and addressing the growing convergence of transnational criminal group operations.

These experiences allow our team to grow, learn, and bring back valuable insights that benefit our community. Each training and dialogue strengthens our ability to respond effectively and work collaboratively, helping ensure that every individual residing in Palau is safer, more informed, and better supported.

Ministry of Justice, Republic of Palau International Organization for Migration - Micronesia Eco Paradise EPFM 87.9 "Ngerel Belau"US

The power of working together! Thank you for including AHTU in the workshop.

Law enforcement and service providers came together yesterday for an interactive workshop led by Ms Jelga Emiwo, Advisor at MHHS supported by Australia through Pacific Women Lead, in partnership with the Palau Red Cross Society.

Participants explored the impact of trauma and practiced applying trauma-informed care and psychological first aid through real-life scenarios. The session also emphasised the importance of interagency collaboration, self-care and normalizing seeking support.

Australia is proud to support initiatives that strengthen frontline services and empower communities across the Pacific 💙
Ministry of Health & Human Services - Republic of Palau

Congratulations are in order for DJJ’s Chief, Ms. Sanya Olkeriil 👏🏽

Palau’s Sanya Mae Olkeriil Becomes First Woman to Graduate FBI National Academy - Island Times By: Summer Kennard KOROR, Palau — “Completing the FBI National Academy was a transformative experience that will help me better serve our community,” said

It was a privilege to host our third World Day Against Trafficking In Persons 5k Walk/Run, and it meant so much to see so many of you come together; familiar faces from past events and new ones joining us for the first time. This year's theme "Human Trafficking in Organized Crime - End the Exploitation" calls for urgent enforcement and prevention measures, with a clear focus on protecting and uplifting victims. With over 170 participants last night, your incredible support truly emphasized the importance of continuing to raise awareness within our community and strengthening the partnerships that make this work possible. With that said, we are especially grateful to our partners, especially our immediate stakeholders who helped bring this day to life, whether it was through their participation, promotion of the event, and or in-kind contributions. A special shout-out to BBlue Heart Association for their generous support in partially funding some key items for our event.

To our amazing team at BPS (NEU, DJJ, DCI, DOP) , thank you for your tireless work in logistics and monitoring that kept everything safe and running smoothly. This year’s walk felt extra special as we had the honor of being joined by both our Director and Minister for the very first time. Their presence was a powerful reminder of the leadership support behind our efforts and the value of coming together as a community.

We encountered a few hiccups along the way as we surpassed our projected number of participants... With that said, we sincerely thank everyone for their understanding and the thoughtful feedback, as we will take it to heart while preparing for our next event.

To celebrate this beautiful turnout, we’re doing a special giveaway and we’re excited to share the names of our 10 lucky winners! Check the list below and stop by the Marine Law Building in Malakal starting Monday, from 1:00–4:00 PM to pick up your prize. We will be reaching out via the contact information they provided, but if you know anyone on the list, please feel free to tag them!

1. Grant Murdie
2. Demeter Masaharu
3. Lorraine T.
4. Rosa May Rodeo
5. Levy Pasco
6. Molly Zhang
7. Teriana Chinn
8. Jing-Shun Tseng
9. Yukie Yano
10. Misaki Moses

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SHOWING UP AND WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN AT ANOTHER AHTU-BPS EVENT!