Togo

Fight against child abuse, trafficking and exploitation

Active in Togo since 1986, Terre des hommes (Tdh) runs projects dealing with child protection and provides access to medical care. In 2010, 5’563 people benefited from the activities implemented.

The context

After its independence from French rule in 1960, the Togolese Republic underwent 38 years of dictatorship. Since 2005, there is a democratically elected government in office. Togo’s economy relies mainly on agriculture, the most important products being cotton, coffee and cocoa. There is a general lack of infrastructure; the health care system is inaccessible for most of the population.
Togolese children from disadvantaged social classes are vulnerable to trafficking and to all forms of exploitation. Despite the Togolese authorities’ willingness to cooperate in improving child protection in the country, there still remains a lot to be done. The implementation of legal mechanisms for child protection falls short of their intended outcome, and national social services continue to be insufficient, even though the country has launched a national child help line since 2009, with the support of some partners, including Terre des hommes.

Our intervention

Combating the exploitation and trafficking of children

Since 2001, Tdh has been managing an ongoing project called “Vixoasi” (“precious child” in the local language) aiming at protecting children from different types of abuse including trafficking, and reintegrating victims. After years of direct intervention, Tdh’s shelter for abused children called the “centre Oasis" in Lomé is being transferred to the government and a new project of host families to take care of children in need is in implementation as an alternative to the transit centre .. In order to reinforce the protective environment around children, with a focus on children on the move, traditional protective mechanisms are strengthened in the places of origin and destination.

Special medical treatment

Tdh ensures the care of children suffering from serious illnesses which cannot be treated locally. They can be operated in Benin, thanks to visiting international specialists, or may be transferred to Europe. Tdh strives furthermore for an improvement in local medical competence through international training.

• 1.210842 6.14646

  Lomé

• 1.290665 6.521775

  Maritime

• 1.26606 6.339526

  Vogan

• 1.040497 6.343279

  Centrale

• 1.190271 9.553355

  Kara