In the unsettling landscape of global issues, organ trafficking stands as a problem that refuses to be ignored. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 12,000 illegal organ transplantations happen annually, with a significant portion of these operations occurring in countries like Nepal and its neighbouring nations.

Nepal’s open borders, often celebrated for their welcoming nature, also create a gateway for a darker trade. Its borders and a population grappling with poverty have turned the country into a hub for trafficking of all kinds, with the frequency of organ trafficking on the rise.

In Nepal, kidneys are often a prized, sort after commodity, reflecting the grim reality of desperate choices forced upon individuals.

The foundation of this disturbing trade lies both in poverty and the low socio-economic struggles of the victim.  Limited healthcare access and limited opportunities breed desperation, making the promise of quick money from organ trafficking alluring. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlights that Nepal’s average annual income often falls below the poverty line, making this grim trade hard to resist for those trapped in dire circumstances.

Many individuals need organs to survive, but there aren’t enough organs available legally. This creates a problem where sick people must wait a long time for transplants. Some become so desperate that they turn to illegal sources, like the black market, to get organs quickly.

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The high demand for organs like kidneys, hearts, and livers makes the illegal organ trade profitable. This is a big issue because it takes advantage of people’s desperation and hurts both donors and recipients, exploiting the desperation of both.

Organ trafficking is driven by supply and demand. The process of organ trafficking, like all trafficking instances, starts with the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. These victims, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, are lured with false promises, and forced into a situation they didn’t choose. Crossing borders, they endure terrible conditions that further exploitation.

As the trade continues, victims undergo surgeries often carried out in makeshift and unregulated facilities. Lack of proper equipment and trained personnel further endanger their lives. The harvested organs are transplanted without proper consent, often leading to complications.

Exploitation is a constant throughout the whole process. Victims are stripped of their agency and subjected to physical and emotional abuse. Lack of medical care, and unhygienic conditions means they often suffer badly.

In legal spheres, both Nepal and the international community condemn organ trafficking. Nepal’s laws against human trafficking extend to the trade of organs, but enforcement remains difficult.

On a global scale, the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons serves as a foundation against human trafficking, including organ trade.

Despite these efforts, organ trafficking persists due to corruption, lack of awareness, and enforcement hurdles.

Collaborative efforts between Nepal and neighbouring countries have led to the establishment of a joint task force with India to combat trafficking, including organ trade.

It’s encouraging to see progress being made in the fight against cross-border organ trafficking. Despite the challenges of open borders, corruption, and limited monitoring resources, there’s a growing sense of optimism. The path to change starts with acknowledging the issues at hand, and that’s exactly what’s happening. The fact that nations are coming together, and that awareness is spreading about the complexities of organ trafficking there is hope for a brighter tomorrow. Nothing changes without awareness. This awareness serves as the foundation for meaningful action.

As we see an increase in the number of border Booths, and our dedicated teams become better equipped to identify signs of trafficking, we know we are positioned to make a real impact. These efforts resonate not only in the statistics but also in the lives that can be saved and the horrors that can be prevented.

Sources:

https://www.unodc.org/southasia//frontpage/2017/May/strengthening-cross-border-cooperation-between-bangladesh–india-and-nepal-to-counter-human-trafficking.html

https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/protocol.html

https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2016/9/12/qa-organ-trafficking-in-nepal/

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/in-nepals-kidney-valley-poverty-drives-an-illegal-market-for-human-organs