How relationships save lives

The AMAN Safety Project started in 2020 to help refugees travelling to Greece and Turkey, vulnerable to human trafficking. Now approaching its fifth and final year, we reflect on the various relationships underpinning the project that have made it such a success. 

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Nabil felt a pang of despair as he plunged into the icy river. The cold was unbearable. But the pain was nothing compared to the lack of hope he felt inside. He was only 28 years old. A student from Yemen, stripped of everything—his phone, food, clothes, shoes—and now tossed into the middle of a river for trying to cross the border into Greece with no legal documents. All he had wanted was to finish his university degree after fleeing the war in his home country.  

Yet, even if Nabil had made it to Greece, his future would be one of debt bondage and  labour exploitation to pay off the traffickers who tried to help him cross the border.  

But Nabil refused to give up. He made a second attempt to enter Greece and this time something changed. A friend told him about an organisation that could help—Oasis’  STOP THE TRAFFIK (STT). 

Taking a leap of faith, Nabil reached out to STT, the part of the Oasis family dedicated to preventing human trafficking. It was a decision that would alter the course of his life. Through STT, Nabil was connected to  an organisation in Greece that provided him with the legal counseling he needed to start a new life and secure the documentation required to continue his education. 

Nabil’s story is just one among millions. Every year, countless refugees from the Middle East and Africa embark on perilous journeys to Greece and Turkey, seeking safety and a new beginning. These routes are treacherous, not only because of their physical dangers but also because they are rife with human traffickers ready to exploit those who are most vulnerable. Many refugees, like Nabil, are unaware of the risks until it’s too late. 

To combat this, STT launched the AMAN Safety Project in 2020. The goal was simple: to provide life-saving information to those most vulnerable to trafficking through targeted social media ads. By highlighting the warning signs of exploitation, the project could “shine a light into the dark hidden world of trafficking, offering safety, hope, and a choice” says Ruth Dearnley, CEO of STT. 

Now in its fifth and final year, the AMAN Safety Project has made a remarkable impact. It has reached over 400,360 migrants and asylum seekers in Istanbul alone and directed more than 105 individuals to safety. But this success didn’t just come from technology; it was built on relationships that enabled the entire project.

A currency of trust

At the heart of the AMAN Safety Project’s success is the network of relationships STT has cultivated for gathering data. Trusting relationships with various partners—NGOs, governments, and other organisations—have provided the crucial data needed to reach those most at risk. Forming these relationships was no easy feat. As Maria Harb, Prevention Programme Manager of the AMAN Safety project, explains, “Information sharing relies on a currency of trust that is built up through healthy relationships over time.” 

In a world where organisations often work in silos, it can be challenging to foster trust and encourage collaboration. Sharing sensitive data is risky, and many organisations are understandably cautious. But the information they provide is invaluable. It allows the AMAN Safety Project to target specific groups who are most vulnerable to trafficking. 

For instance, through our partnerships, we learned that refugees at risk of organ trafficking typically speak Arabic, Farsi, French, and Pashto, and are in the 18-35 age group. This insight enabled the team to craft targeted messages in these languages, warning potential victims before traffickers could reach them. Relationships, in this sense, become a matter of life and death. 

Navigating cultural taboos

However, data alone isn’t enough. The messages sent must resonate with the audience, cutting through the noise of social media where many users will spend just 1.7 seconds glancing at a post in their feed. This is especially challenging when trying to reach people from diverse cultural backgrounds, with different assumptions and taboos from our own. 

One early lesson for the AMAN Safety Project came from an ad that featured a man’s hand holding a woman’s hand—a symbol meant to convey support and comfort. But feedback from our target audience quickly revealed that in some cultures, this image carried a different meaning. In communities with strict gender norms, this gesture implies marriage, not support. The ad was swiftly adjusted, but the incident underscored a critical point: to connect with people, we had to understand them on a deep level. 

Building these connections required more than just data; it needed relationships with local communities and organisations on the ground. These relationships provided the cultural insights necessary to craft messages that would resonate with our audiences. “If our messages don’t resonate,” Maria warns, “people will scroll straight past them, increasing their vulnerability to trafficking.”  

A web of support

The AMAN Safety Project extends beyond awareness. It also involves connecting refugees with the services they need to rebuild their lives. This is where our network of relationships has shown itself to be so crucial. By collaborating with local organisations, STT ensures that refugees receive holistic care — legal advice, medical assistance, financial support, and more. 

Monique was a refugee from Cameroon. She was heavily pregnant in Istanbul without legal status and therefore medical care. She had been scammed by an agency which took all of her money. Alone and desperate, she had nowhere to turn. Through the AMAN Safety Project, Monique was connected with one of our partner organisations in Istanbul . They provided her with legal support, supermarket cards, and sanitary kits. Monique was also referred to a health and human rights organisation, through which she was able to safely give birth to a healthy baby. “I am crying with joy. Thank you so much for being there for me,” said Monique. 

Monique’s story is a testament to the power of collaborative relationships. It shows us what can be achieved when different organisations work together. In this web of relationships, refugees like Monique and Nabil find not just help, but hope. 

Find out more about STOP THE TRAFFIK here: https://stopthetraffik.org/