Cyprus' airports to help combat human trafficking

The Ministry of Interior, the Cyprus Police, and the Social Welfare Services in collaboration with Hermes Airports have launched a joint campaign at Larnaka and Pafos airports to raise awareness of human trafficking among the traveling public and its front-line staff.  The campaign also aims to educate the public and airport staff to be able to identify possible victims of human trafficking and how to handle such situations.

In a press release, Hermes Airports said that as hundreds of thousands of human trafficking victims are recorded around the world, the campaign aims to increase awareness around this “despicable crime” and to highlight the necessity for collaboration amongst the involved stakeholders to combat human trafficking.

Tania Charalambidou, representative of the Ministry of Interior, the National Coordinator for combating human trafficking, stated that “human trafficking is a downright violation of human rights, where victims, irrespective of their age, gender, and nationality, become modern-day slaves. Information that is being doled out at key information points such as the 2 airports of Cyprus can be lifesaving for many victims.”

Regarding Hermes Airports’ participation in the campaign, Maria Kouroupi, Senior Manager of Aviation Development and Communication of Hermes Airports said it “highlights the sensitivity we demonstrate for such matters and is aligned with the broader goals which derive from our sustainability and social responsibility strategy.”