(Republished from UNDP Multi-Country Office in Trinidad & Tobago)

By Amanda Ackbarali-Ramdial
Project Associate (CariSECURE 2.0)
UNDP Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago recently achieved a critical improvement in its ranking in the U.S. Department of State's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for 2024. This notable advancement is a testament to the country’s intensified efforts toward combating human trafficking. Among the pivotal contributors to this success is the CariSECURE 2.0 project, which has played a crucial role in enhancing the nation’s citizen security and strategic anti-trafficking measures.

CariSECURE 2.0 is a standout Caribbean Citizen Security initiative that has a strong focus on strengthening the frameworks needed to combat human trafficking. By supporting data-driven policy making and building capacity across various sectors, the project has been working along with other agencies to bolster Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts in this critical area.  

The Trinidad and Tobago Government partnered with a Strategic TIP Advisor, funded by USAID, who, closely with the Ministry of National Security to fortify strategic and legal anti-trafficking frameworks. This collaboration resulted in several pivotal outcomes: a costed implementation roadmap for the National Action Plan (NAP) execution, a strategic plan to enhance prosecutions, an exhaustive capacity-building report, and a set of recommendations for future progress.

Wide-Ranging Support and Expertise

The impact of CariSECURE 2.0 goes beyond the Ministry of National Security and its Counter Trafficking Unit, providing comprehensive support to multiple organizations involved in the fight against human trafficking. The project's multifaceted services will continue to enhance the capabilities of national institutions and civil society organizations, enabling them to implement more effective and coordinated measures against trafficking activities during 2024-2026.

Key Services Provided by CariSECURE 2.0

CariSECURE 2.0’s holistic approach encompasses various services vital to improving citizen security and addressing trafficking:

• Strengthening Statistical Systems: Helping the national justice sector agencies improve the quality of crime and violence data collection, management, analysis, and reporting. 
• Capacity Building: Offering training and technical assistance to police officers, statisticians, policymakers, and other stakeholders, enhancing their skills in data analysis, policy formulation, and implementing best practices in citizen security. 
• Policy Development and Reform: Supporting the creation and revision of policies and strategies aimed at crime prevention and reduction, grounded in comprehensive evidence and analysis. 
• Information Technology Solutions: Implementing or upgrading IT systems, such as crime information management software, to enable efficient data collection, analysis, and dissemination. 
• Public Awareness and Engagement: Driving public awareness campaigns and encouraging community involvement in crime prevention and reduction initiatives. 
• Regional Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Facilitating regional partnerships and the exchange of best practices and models among Caribbean countries to tackle common security challenges. 
• Technical Assistance for Specific Initiatives: Providing targeted support for specific programs, such as youth engagement projects, community policing models, and violence reduction strategies. 

More to Come!

Trinidad and Tobago's improved ranking in the 2024 TIP Report is a significant milestone in the country’s fight against human trafficking. The contributions of CariSECURE 2.0 will be integral to continued success, providing critical support, resources, and expertise that have transformed the nation’s approach to tackling this crime.

As Trinidad and Tobago continues to build on these achievements, the ongoing support and initiatives led by CariSECURE 2.0 will remain vital in ensuring sustained progress and the ultimate goal of eradicating human trafficking in T&T.

About CariSecure 2.0
CariSECURE 2.0 - Strengthening Evidence Based Decision Making for Citizen Security in the Caribbean, is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The regional programme aims to reduce youth involvement in crime and violence, and strengthen counter Trafficking in Persons (TIP) efforts in the Caribbean. It employs a multi-pronged, human rights-based approach designed to improve national capacities to use evidence-based approaches to identify the root causes of youth crime and design policies, strategies, programs and interventions across six countries.