Post-Earthquake Human Trafficking in Indo-Nepal Terai Region and Cross-Border Integrated Response Mechanism

Disasters generally cause enduring, catastrophic damage and trauma to people and their families, homes, and communities. After disasters like earthquakes, already existing vulnerabilities increase manifold as people lose their lives and livelihoods, displaced from their native places, their support network is disrupted and they become more susceptible to human trafficking. In addition, limited resources divert the attention of law enforcement agencies toward instantaneous needs to save and rescue the people, making people more vulnerable to human trafficking with limited or no protection, women who have lost their family members, livelihoods, and homes, children who lost their parents or parted from their families, and immigrants are at risk for post-disaster human trafficking. These wobbly situations may encourage rapacious behavior as those impacted by disasters may be involved in risky work for their survival, which can increase the potential of human trafficking victims. Despite the gravity of this issue, the linkages between disasters and human trafficking have not received pragmatic attention. In this context, this study mainly explores the linkages between disasters and human trafficking with special reference to the post-earthquake situation of the Indo-Nepal Terai region. This study mainly focuses on the post-earthquake circumstances resulting in human trafficking which continued later on for several months and years after the disaster in the Indo-Nepal Terai region. The study also focuses on concerns and responses taken by the country of origin and destination and underscores the urgent need for cross-border collaborative mechanisms to combat this illicit practice. This study relies entirely on secondary data sources and content analysis, supplemented by the creation of an earthquake vulnerability map for the Indo-Nepal Terai region. By shedding light on the intricate link between disasters and human trafficking, it highlights the critical need for pragmatic solutions and coordinated efforts to tackle this multifaceted issue. The findings emphasize the importance of proactive measures to safeguard vulnerable populations, ensuring that those already grappling with the aftermath of disaster are protected from further exploitation.