IOM launches multi-media package to promote HIV/ AIDS prevention among Mekong sub-region migrants

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched Friday in Bangkok a multi-media package aiming to promote awareness among cross-border and internal migrant workers in the five Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), on HIV and AIDS prevention.

The package, titled "For Life, With Love: Safe Mobility and Life Skills Activities," comprises an animation video series telling humane-touch stories about HIV/AIDS-reletaed risks facing migrant workers, radio drama series, and life-skills activities manuals.

"The package targets migrants on the move and away from home, who, faced by new social circumstances, run a higher risk of contracting HIV than other social groups. They also focus on communities hosting migrants and people living near the region's fast expanding highway network," said Christopher Lowenstein-Lom, IOM spokesman in the Asia-Pacific region at a press conference here.

Higher travel ease as provided by the ASEAN highway network, has increased mobility of population both in internal and cross- border terms. People and localities living near or taking advantage of the network are thus subject to higher HIV vulnerability, as they are exposed to more complex social behavior patterns, noted Dr. Maria Nenette Motus, IOM Regional Migartion Health Advisor.

Many of these migrant workers come from remote, poor rural areas and lack access to information on HIV risks, for example, the danger of shared drug injection and unsafe sex.

Apart from a lack of risk awareness on the migrants' part, lack of legal protection and access to health services in host countries, as well as social discrimination and marginalization have also constituted challenges to reduce HIV/AIDS vulnerability among migrants.

The IOM will go on with the construction of a series of in- country training workshops to assist concerned governments in the promotion and dissemination of the package, backed by funds being raised from its 120 member states and various institutions, said Dr. Motus.

Governments, NGOs, companies and local communities would be encouraged to include the package in their migrant training programs.

The project was developed by IOM in partnership with five GMS countries -- Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, with the videos and manuals in different versions in the five national languages plus English.

After launching the Thai version Friday, other national versions will be launched later in June and July in the other four GMS countries.

The IOM, established in 1951, is the principal intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. It now has 120 member states and another 19 observer states.

Source: Xinhua