International Organization for Migration – IOM

While founded outside the UN system, IOM is an intergovernmental body with a structure similar to that of a specialized UN agency. IOM has signed cooperation agreements with the UN Secretariat, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNAIDS and WHO. Its mandate allows it to work with mobile populations, including migrants, refugees, displaced persons and others in need of migration services or assistance

HIV-related Mission

IOM’s response to HIV addresses migrants and mobile populations throughout all stages of their journey, from their place of origin, through transit, places of destination and return. This often requires transcending national approaches to develop regional and interregional approaches, including in cross-border areas. In addressing the epidemic, IOM supports

A global approach with a focus on advocacy, policy guidance and definition of best practices
Regional level initiatives with harmonisation of approaches and capacity building
Country programmes with both service delivery and technical backstopping

The November 2002 IOM-UNAIDS cooperation framework aims at ensuring that the needs of migrants and mobile populations are fully integrated into national and regional AIDS strategies and that they have access to adequate HIV prevention, care and support and treatment programmes. IOM promotes initiatives designed to effectively respond to the spread of HIV and at reducing the risks and vulnerability of migrant and mobile populations.

Key Roles of the Missions with Regional Functions

As resources and support centres for IOM Country Offices in the region, regional offices provide expertise to assist with programme development and implementation. With regard to HIV, the roles of the regional offices are to:

Incorporate HIV concerns into IOM’s migration policy framework for sub-Saharan Africa
Contribute to the overall understanding of the relationship between population mobility and HIV epidemiology in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa
Integrate HIV components into all other IOM activities, including humanitarian assistance and counter trafficking programmes
Develop and implement regional initiatives on HIV and population mobility
Provide technical support to national and regional partners to integrate population mobility concerns into HIV and AIDS policies and programmes

Key Roles of IOM within the Regional HIV and AIDS Team – RHAT

As part of the HIV Prevention working group, IOM offers technical assistance in

HIV prevention among labour migrants, especially miners, truckers, construction workers, informal cross border traders, sex workers, border officials, farm workers and commercial fishermen
HIV mainstreaming in situations of humanitarian concern and counter trafficking programmes
Regional coordination of initiatives and programmes focusing on HIV and population mobility

Regional Offices and Contacts

IOM Mission with Regional Functions (MRF) Eastern and Central Africa

Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi, Congo Brazzaville, Tanzania, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Eritrea

(Vacant)
Regional Representative for Eastern and Central Africa
Rhapta Road, Westlands
PO Box 55040
00200 - City Square
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 445 6050 / 444 4167
Fax: +254 20 444 9577
Email: iomnairobi@iom.int

HIV Focal Point	Designation	Telephone	Email
Greg Irving	Health and HIV Programme Officer	+254 725 456 375	girving@iom.int

IOM Mission with Regional Functions (MRF) Southern Africa

Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Mr. Hans-Petter Boe
Regional Representative for Southern Africa
PO Box 55391, Arcadia 0007
Pretoria, South Africa
Tel: +27 12 342 2789
Fax: +27 12 342 0932
Email: mrfpretoria@iom.int

HIV Focal Point	Designation	Telephone	Email
Barbara Rijks	HIV/AIDS Programme Officer	+27 12 342 2789 +27 82 372 2804	brijks@iom.int phamsa@iom.int

References

HIV and People on the Move: risk and vulnerabilities of migrants and mobile populations in Southern Africa. Summary report of the structured discussion on AF-AIDS eForum, IOM & HDN, December 2006.
Breaking the Cycle of Vulnerability: Responding to the health needs of trafficked women in East and Southern Africa. IOM, October 2006.
HIV and AIDS Service Provision to IDP Communities in Northern Uganda Districts of Gulu, Amuru, Kitgum, Pader, Lira, Oyam, and Apac, September-December 2006.
The Journey: comic stories on vulnerability of migrant workers in South Africa, IOM, May 2006.
IOM Guide for HIV Counsellors: IOM HIV Counselling in the Context of Migration Health Assessment, IOM, April 2006.
Long-distance Truck Drivers’ Perceptions and Behaviours Towards STI/HIV/TB and Existing Health Services in Selected Truck Stops of the Great Lakes Region: a Situation Assessment, GLIA & IOM & UNAIDS, April 2006.
Proceedings of the International Workshop on Responding to HIV and AIDS in the Fishery Sector in Africa. WFC, FAO and IOM, February 2006.
Baseline Assessment of HIV/AIDS Awareness and Service Provision in IDP Camps, Northern Uganda, IOM, UNAIDS, UNFPA and UNDP, June 2005.
HIV/AIDS, Population Mobility and Migration in Southern Africa, Defining a Research and Policy Agenda, IOM & SAMP, June 2005.
HIV/AIDS Vulnerability among Migrant Farm Workers on the South African Mozambican Border, JICA & IOM, 2004.
Mobile Populations and HIV/AIDS in the Southern African Region, Desk Review and Bibliography, IOM & UNAIDS, May 2003.
Labour Migration and HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa (case study on mineworkers from Lesotho), September 2002.

Websites

IOM Global: www.iom.int
IOM Southern Africa: www.iom.org.za