implementation such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labour, and the Ministry of Solidarity, Family and Women, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, National Body for the Protection and Promotion of Childhood, the National Gendarmerie and the National Police.

Ms. Cristina Albertin, UNODC Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa, welcomed the launch and noted that "It is an honor to formally launch together a new project with the National Committee and the USA that seeks to support Algeria’s response to combat TIP, this equals a great sense of trust and partnership by the Government."

Mr. Abdelghani Merabet, President of the National Committee to Prevent and Fight TIP noted during the event that “the cornerstone of every ambitious national policy on countering trafficking in persons is that it should be focused on the victims of this crime.”

The three-year project aims to support Algeria's response to combat trafficking in persons by enhancing protection and assistance services for detected  victims through a National Referral Mechanism (NRM), expanding the institutional capacities in investigation, prosecution, and adjudication and enhancing the relevant legal framework, and by raising awareness and providing educational information on TIP and its risk factors to first responders, medical professionals, and teachers as well as to the general public.

A first workshop under the project on “National Referral Mechanisms: Exchange of Good Practices and Challenges” marked the official start of project implementation. The workshop brought together 35 participants from key sectors expected to work with potential victims and would be responsible for the provision of necessary protection and assistance as well as the Algerian Red Crescent.

The workshop provided a platform for participants to hear from experts on the international and national legal framework on trafficking in persons, methods of identifying, protecting, and assisting victims of trafficking, and the processes involved in the development of an NRM. The importance of protecting the victims of trafficking was reflected in the remarks of H.E Elizabeth Aubin, Ambassador of USA in Algeria. Speaking at the event, she noted that “We are partnering today with the Government of Algeria and UNODC because we believe that we should all do everything we can to prevent and end TIP and protect victims and be there for them.”