Microsoft has awarded over US$1 million through its Unlimited Potential grants to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) across six Asian countries. The latest round of grants will deliver IT training courses specifically for people in human-trafficking hot spots across the region.

The Unlimited Potential grants to help combat human trafficking were distributed in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand and will deliver IT skills through training that enhance the employment prospects and economic conditions of people most vulnerable to, or already victimised by, human traffickers.

The outreach efforts and grants will expand the network to over 40 NGOs, including several in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Vietnam. Over 130 new Community Technology Learning Centers (CTLCs) will be supported, and more than 100,000 new people will receive the benefits of technology through these grants over the next three years.

"Only the concerted and coordinated partnership of governments, NGOs and private companies can hope to make a dent, let alone end, the tragedy of human trafficking, said Lori Forman, Community Affairs Regional Director at Microsoft Asia Pacific. "The NGO partners we're supporting share a long term commitment to creating better economic conditions for people — thereby reducing their risk of being victimized. They bring different strengths to the effort to combat human trafficking. By sharing those strengths, and through leveraging the benefits and strength of IT skills and technology, we can more rapidly advance the battle against human trafficking."

This latest round of grants, takes the company's 2006 commitment in Asia to US$9.2 million.