Iraq is a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking — a complex and often hidden crime shaped by structural inequalities, protracted conflict, economic insecurity, displacement, and demand for low-cost labor. In Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, migrant workers are often recruited through false promises and later subjected to forced labor, including in domestic servitude, construction, or agriculture. Women and girls also often face heightened risks of sexual exploitation, abuse, and other forms of gendered violence and trafficking.
The indicators and risks can be difficult to recognize, leaving survivors unidentified and without access to the protection, services, and justice they deserve.
SEED takes a comprehensive approach to combatting human trafficking — from preventing exploitation through awareness and improved identification to supporting survivors and strengthening the systems responsible for responding to this crime.
Providing comprehensive, survivor-centered services.
SEED provides life-saving, trauma-informed services — including emergency shelter, case management, mental health and psychosocial support, cash assistance and more — to support the safety, recovery, and long-term well-being of survivors of trafficking and people at risk.
Building awareness and reducing vulnerability to exploitation among affected and at-risk communities.
SEED works with individuals and communities to increase awareness of human trafficking, recognize risks and warning signs, challenge harmful misconceptions, and strengthen people’s ability to protect themselves and others from exploitation.
Strengthening the skills and knowledge of people and institutions working on the front lines.
SEED trains government and civil society actors to safely identify survivors and people at risk and provide coordinated, rights-based responses. This includes law enforcement, judges, immigration and residency officials, frontline service providers, and NGOs.
Supporting sustainable and rights-based legal protections and response to trafficking.
SEED conducts research to strengthen understanding of how trafficking manifests in Iraq, supports stronger legislation and policies, and works with government partners to improve coordination and response mechanisms.
SEED established and operates the first and only shelter for trafficking survivors in the Kurdistan Region since 2019.
For survivors who choose to return home, safe repatriation requires careful coordination across borders to ensure their safety, dignity, and continuity of support. SEED works with relevant authorities, embassies, consulates, service providers, and partners to support safe and voluntary repatriation when appropriate.
The map shows the countries of origin of the 843 survivors SEED has supported.
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