In West Africa, many children have to work because their families depend on any additional income. It is therefore not uncommon in many regions for children to work after school. However, there is also a more exploitative form of child labour where many children live far away without contact to their families, are bound to a violent employer, suffer from hunger and work until exhaustion under dangerous conditions. Although such child labour is banned everywhere, there are many and even increasing cases of child slavery around the world. For example, an IJM study shows that half of all children fishing at Lake Volta in Ghana are heavily exploited. Most of them are boys, averaging ten years old, who are sold for a small amount of money. Other industries and sectors are also affected.

IJM fights for the rights and protection of children affected by exploitation and slavery in Ghana. Since eight years, IJM has been working with the government and local authorities to strengthen legal systems so that cases of exploitative child labour are investigated. For example, at IJM’s initiative, 40 maritime police officers have been trained in appropriate investigation methods and learned how to provide immediate assistance for affected children. Ten of the officers have been trained to become part of an elite maritime police unit – the first ever police patrol on the Lake Volta. This is an important step in strengthening Ghana’s prosecution of perpetrators. For as long as they remain unrecognised and unaccounted for, child exploitation continues unchecked.

That is why IJM works with local actors to strengthen the legal system and supports investigations and the judiciary so that existing law is enforced and children are protected from exploitation. In addition, IJM works with partner organisations to provide professional aftercare support for affected children and reunites them with their families where possible. Through the combination of these and other measures, the children are given back a piece of their childhood and the foundations for a self-determined life are laid.

Watch our video to find out more: Patrick Knodel in conversation with Anita Budu, Director West Africa, IJM

Iraq is one of the countries most contaminated by explosive weapons in the world.This drastically curtails the possibilities for a more secure life of the Iraqi population even after the war. Thousands of displaced people who are now returning to their homes and starting to rebuild are acutely endangered by uncleared mines and munitions. Parents and children live in constant fear as explosive devices are repeatedly found in schools. Threatened by poverty, many people risk their lives daily by working in areas that are considered heavily mine-polluted.

In addition to the omnipresent danger to life and limb, the heavy contamination with mines also affects the mental health of the civilian population. It further prevents safe access to resources, services, and humanitarian aid, thus hampering the already challenging prospects for economic development in the country.

Building on its long-standing global expertise in the fight against mines, our project partner Handicap International (HI) pursues an all-encompassing approach to support the people living in the Kirkuk and Salah al Din districts. This comprises four main pillars: demining, educating at-risk populations, providing victim assistance, and engaging in advocacy for especially vulnerable populations.

When clearing the land of explosive remnants, demining teams search the ground with metal detectors and check the contours with mine detection needles, then carefully expose and defuse any dangerous objects. 

As explosive ordnance is usually camouflaged and can be difficult to detect and avoid, educating at-risk populations about the right behaviour plays a crucial role. Local response teams therefore explain to community members how to deal with a variety of situations they might face. 

Unfortunately, the hidden dangers of explosive remnants lurk almost everywhere in Iraq. Even if people survive a mine incident, they often suffer from severe injuries and disabilities that require special care. Handicap International assists the victims not only with emergency medical care but also with prolonged physical rehabilitation as well as psycho-social support. 

In addition, HI advocates for the interests and rights of specific groups such as women and people with disabilities, who are affected in different ways by the consequences of the country’s heavy contamination with mines. 

With this holistic approach, the knodel foundation together with Handicap International contributes to making the lives of the Iraqi population safer and assists in creating the basic conditions for the redevelopment of the country.