When individuals and households face an unanticipated financial shock, such as a health crisis, crop failure, or forced displacement, lack of access to regular and safe financial services can force them into dangerous debt and labour contracts, or into perilous migration. From India to Indiana, this is often a slippery slope to modern slavery and human trafficking. This Initiative works with financial sector leaders to address these problems and promote financial access to help prevent and remedy modern slavery and human trafficking.

Vulnerable Populations Initiative

The Vulnerable Populations Initiative will address the high coincidence between lack of access to financial products – especially cross-border payments, credit and insurance – and vulnerability to modern slavery and human trafficking. It responds to the growing evidence that investment in provision of digital finance to these populations has both net economic benefits and can help reduce vulnerability. The types of investments and innovation that it will pursue are discussed further in Goal 5 – Investment in Innovation for Prevention.