The Asia Foundation opens office in Suva and says they are shining a light on modern slavery and trafficking in the region

Where things are hidden is where things occur, and trafficking in persons is often a hidden problem.

The Asia Foundation Regional Representative, Sandra Kraushaar highlighted this at the re-establishing of their regional office here in Suva and says if we can shine a light on it and communities are recognising what trafficking and modern slavery are then we can actually work with them to address it and eradicate it.

Kraushaar says they are also working with USAID funding and their partners in countering trafficking in persons across the region.

She says this is a terrible scourge on our societies and unfortunately we have seen an increase in trafficking across the Pacific region.

Kraushaar says they are working with their partners in the departments of Defence, Police, Immigration, Employment, faith based organisations, civil society organisations and industry.

The Asia Foundation operates in 19 countries.