IOM in Myanmar Domestic conditions, coupled with its geographical location which links the expanding economies of South East Asia, China, and South Asia, make Myanmar a country with dynamic internal and cross-border mobility.
Mobile populations are vulnerable to smuggling, human trafficking, labour exploitation, and the spread of communicable diseases, including tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS. Significant risks exist for those working in the transport sector, seasonal labourers, seafarers, entertainment and sex workers, and those in mining communities. Migration Health The mobility process increases vulnerability to contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS. Those concerned include migrants and their sex partners, source communities, and more stable communities that are affected by mobility and migration. Mobility also presents difficulties in accessing information and diagnostic services for tuberculosis (TB) and STIs (including VCCT for HIV), and poses challenges in facilitating compliance with treatment regimens. IOM and its partners in the international community believe that creative approaches are required to improve migrant access to preventative and curative health services for TB, STIs, HIV/AIDS, and other health conditions. This constitutes one of the most daunting challenges facing the Myanmar authorities and partner agencies. The strategy of IOM and its partners is to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Myanmar Ministry of Health and partners in addressing TB and HIV/AIDS, to take a multisectoral approach towards reducing vulnerability to HIV and STIs, to conduct related assessments and/or research, and to improve the diagnostic and treatment capacity of peripheral TB and HIV care providers. Counter Trafficking IOM continues to work with counterparts in Myanmar and Thailand to develop and strengthen return and reintegration structures and procedures for returning victims of trafficking from Myanmar; and, to establish standard operating procedures for official returns. Following the success of the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking (COMMIT) conference held in October 2004, IOM will increase its focus in Myanmar on training for officials in the area of victim identification, victim assistance and bilateral cooperation for returns with neighbouring countries from the Greater Mekong Sub-region. In addition, IOM will develop information dissemination networks for the dissemination of the regional awareness-raising package and training aid “Shattered Dreams” to both raise awareness among youth and vulnerable communities of the dangers of irregular migration and reduce vulnerability to deception and trafficking.
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