Migrants fleeing Afghanistan’s political and economic instability are increasingly falling prey to human trafficking networks in neighboring countries. A recent study by Amu highlights the systemic exploitation occurring in migrant camps designed to house undocumented Afghans, where trafficking networks operate with near impunity.

“Migrant camps, often established to manage undocumented migrants, have become fertile ground for human trafficking networks that exploit the dire conditions faced by residents,” the report revealed.

The “tools of control”

Interviews with 33 individuals across seven Afghan provinces paint a distressing picture. Of those surveyed, 63.6% described trafficking networks’ influence in the camps as “high,” while only 6.1% considered it “moderate.” The tactics used by traffickers are both manipulative and deeply entrenched in the camp environment.

“Traffickers blend in. They may appear to be ordinary workers or even other migrants. They manipulate the situation to exploit those who are most desperate,” explained one interviewee.

Operatives posing as janitors, bakers, or fellow migrants build trust within the camps, offering false promises of escape or assistance. Bribes play a pivotal role, with nearly half of respondents identifying them as traffickers’ primary tool of control.

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