KULOB, August 20, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Public associations of Tajikistan and Afghanistan intend to combine efforts to counter hostage-taking in border areas.

Upon completion of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, representatives of the Afghan public association ABO will arrive in Kulob on invitation of the Kulob-based NGO Najoti Kudakon (Save the Children).

According to Najoti Kudakon, it will be the second visit of the ABO representatives to Tajikistan this year.  The main purpose of the visit is for them to strengthen contacts with Tajik NGOs and combine efforts to counter human trafficking in border areas, the source said, noting that both sides admitted that Tajiks leaving near the border with Afghanistan, especially in Khatlon’s Shouroobod district are falling prey to Afghan drug dealers who are taking desperate measures to recover debts.

“The sides will discuss issues related to the return home of residents of border areas that were taken hostage and providing psychological aid to them after the return,” he said.

Cooperation with representatives of Afghan NGOs is established in the framework of the UNDP project aiming to raise human-trafficking awareness among the population, the source added.