Benin and Nigeria

Combating transnational child trafficking and exploitation

Terre des hommes (Tdh) has been active in Benin since 1974 and carries out projects related to health, protection and specialised healthcare. In 2011, more than 19,000 people benefited from Tdh activities.

The context

Although Benin has experienced some economic development, the country remains very poor and dependent on exports. Inadequate resources make access to basic services such as healthcare and education very difficult. According to a survey carried out in 2008, 664,537 children aged between 5 and 17 are in work. Of these children, 90% are employed in jobs classified as the “worst forms of work”. Some 40,000 children are also victims of trafficking in Benin.

Our intervention in the field

Mother and child health

This projects supports those who are most vulnerable (mothers and children aged 0 to 5) in gaining free access to health facilities through a State fund for the needy with the aim of preventing and combating malnutrition. The project supports communities and villages in organising awareness raising and home visits. Tdh offers care and guidance to children and mothers, and material and technical support to health centres, enabling them to provide a better service.

The Benin-Nigeria transnational project

Terre des hommes identifies and offers educational and social services to the most vulnerable children with the aim of preventing the risk of exploitation. Children returning to their villages are also offered assistance. With the agreement of owners of Nigerian stone quarries, the authorities and communities, Tdh campaigns to end child labour for children under the age of 14. Older children are supported and protected on site.

Work with the authorities

Tdh works with the authorities to reduce the number of child victims or those exposed to the risks of exploitation, trafficking and abuse. It places victims with host families and monitors them, and prepares for their reintegration with their own families and/or communities.

Specialised healthcare

Tdh identifies children who need specialist healthcare and, where necessary, organises for them to travel to Europe.

• 2.1255 7.1349

  Zakpota

• 3.348713 7.168787

  Abeokuta

• 2.066774 7.172653

  Bohicon

• 2.425375 6.365851

  Cotonou

• 2.067947 7.379219

  Zou