United States allocates $2.5 million to combat human trafficking in Bolivia

Bolivia and the United States have launched a joint initiative to combat human trafficking through a $2.5 million cooperation project titled “Acting Together Against Trafficking” (Atfat). Scheduled to run from 2026 to 2030, the program aims to prevent the crime, protect victims, and restore their rights.

The budget is divided between protection and prevention, with 57% allocated to protection services and 43% dedicated to risk reduction and social change. The initiative will focus on strategic regions including La Paz, El Alto, and Desaguadero due to its proximity to Peru, as well as Santa Cruz and Guayaramerín near the Brazilian border to ensure effective binational coordination.

Key partners in the project include Save the Children, the Munasim Kullakita Foundation, and the Institute for Behavioral Science Research at the Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo. Efforts will include strengthening shelters, training personnel, and implementing community early warning systems, with a particular emphasis on rural areas where vulnerability is higher.