AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING: THE CASE OF SAESIE TSAEDA EMBA WEREDA, TIGRAY REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

These days, trafficking is a worldwide concern that affects the whole world. Every nation in the world, including Ethiopia, has been impacted by human trafficking regardless of socio-economic status, history or political situation. Thousands of Ethiopians trafficked irregularly through the facilitation of brokers and traffickers and face several horrible challenges and perils in the desert and sea routes, transit as well as in the destination countries. Thus, this thesis aims to explore the causes, actors and physical and socio-economic effect of trafficking in persons on victim migrants in Sa’esi’e Tsa’eda Emba wereda, Tigray regional state. This study employed exploratory research design relying on a qualitative research approach and non-probability sampling technique. The total number of research participants were 41 (15 returnees, 5 key informant and 21 individuals for Focus group discussions). The research participants were selected based on snowball and purposeful sampling methods. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources through in-depth interview with returnees, key informants, FGDs and reviewing relevant literature. In general, the research findings show that economic and socio- cultural factors are the major causes of trafficking in persons in the study area. Besides, lack of good governance, corruption, and denial of justice are also other triggering factors of human trafficking in Saesie Tsaeda Emba wereda. Further, the findings indicate that the trafficked individuals have faced multifaceted economic, physical and psychological perils during the journey in transit countries as well as after reaching the intended destination countries. The study recommended that the government should reduce poverty, controls its borders, and promote awareness to all levels of the community in the wereda.