A Halfway Home (safe space), has been officially opened in Benapole under Sharsha upazila of Jessore to provide protection, care, and rehabilitation support to victims of human trafficking and migrants facing vulnerable situations.
The facility was inaugurated at a ceremony held at The Sun Roof Hotel in Benapole Bazar at 1:30 pm on Tuesday.
The initiative is being implemented under the Global Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh. The project is being carried out at the grassroots level by the non-governmental development organization Rights Jessore.
Officials at the event said the primary objective of the Halfway Home is to ensure gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive protection services for victims of human trafficking and vulnerable migrants. The center will provide necessary support for their physical, psychological, and social rehabilitation, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity.
The facility will offer temporary accommodation, a safe environment, nutritious meals, essential supplies, first aid, legal assistance, and psychological counseling based on individual needs. Stakeholders expressed hope that the initiative would strengthen the safety and recovery process of trafficking survivors while restoring their confidence and self-reliance.
Located in Vebarber area of Benapole, the Halfway Home can accommodate up to 30 people at a time. Victims will generally receive shelter for two to seven days, depending on their specific circumstances.
A trained nine-member team has been assigned to operate the center, including a home manager, a home mother, two psychological counselors for male and female beneficiaries, a cook, a cleaner, and three security personnel responsible for ensuring 24-hour protection.
At the inaugural ceremony, Rights Jessore Executive Director Vinay Krishna Mallick chaired the event, while Program Director Pradeep Dutta delivered the welcome speech. Tasneem Binte Karim, National Program Coordinator of UNODC’s South Asia Regional Office, attended as the special guest.
Rights Jessore Deputy Program Director S. M. Azharul Islam highlighted the center’s services, ongoing activities, and future plans.
Among those present were Sharsha Upazila Executive Officer and Benapole Municipal Administrator Fazle Wahid, Benapole Port Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ashraf Hossain, Immigration Police OC Saifur Rahman, Sharsha Police Officer Shaminul Haque, Benapole BGB Camp Company Commander Subedar Mohsin Chowdhury, Benapole Press Club President Mohsin Milon, officials from government and private organizations, development professionals, local dignitaries, and media representatives.
Speakers at the event said the establishment of such a facility is a timely step toward preventing human trafficking and ensuring safe shelter, essential services, and dignified rehabilitation for survivors. They pledged their continued cooperation for the successful implementation of this humanitarian initiative.