Evaluation of the International Organization for Migration’s Counter-Trafficking Efforts (Macedonia, Norway, Bangladesh, Kyrgyz Republic, Nigeria, South Africa)

This study assessed counter-trafficking interventions of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) both at the country and international level. The evaluation included case studies and site visits to the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation-funded IOM direct assistance programs in Macedonia, Norway, Bangladesh, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Nigeria plus a desk review of a regional project in Southern Africa. It also included analysis of IOM’s administrative data set on victims of human trafficking, a survey of IOM and partner organization staff in two languages, and review of institutional and program documents.

The project documented and assessed how counter-trafficking projects funded by the Norwegian government and implemented in partnership with IOM sought to counter human trafficking between 2000 and 2010. It also provided a set of recommendations that follow directly from study findings.

Three key findings were identification of:

1. IOM’s major strengths in the areas of network-building and victim support
2. A lack of logic models, theories of change, evidence of the effectiveness of programs in use, understanding of program outcomes, and rigorous evaluation
3. Challenges related to ensuring that staff have human rights guidance on how to protect victims and to guaranteeing that human rights principles are used in providing assistance and services to victims