Indonesia – After the success of the pilot Point of Entry (PoE) Assessment in August 2022 at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) together with the Directorate General of Immigration (DGI), Ministry of Law and Human Rights Republic of Indonesia, with financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), continued the assessment activities in 18 other PoEs across Indonesia. Involving almost 400 officials in eight airports, six seaports, and four land border crossings, these assessments were part of IOM’s efforts to support the Indonesian Government in responding to COVID-19 pandemic and future public health emergencies.

These assessment activities, including at Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Airport in Lombok, Tunon Taka Seaport in Nunukan, Tanjung Balai Karimun Seaport in Riau Islands, Juanda Airport in East Java, Motaain Land Border Crossing in Atambua, Bitung Seaport in North Sulawesi, Skouw Land Border Crossing in Jayapura, and Nanga Badau Land Border Crossing in West Kalimantan, were implemented throughout August and September 2022. It Comprised of a Focused Group Discussion (FGD) and the PoE facilities observation. Moreover, various stakeholders, including Immigration, Port Health Authority (PHA), Custom, Port Management, Health Ministry Regional Office, Police, and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency participated in these assessments.

"We are assessing these high mobility PoEs with IOM to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. These locations are strategic locations for foreign travelers. Through this collaboration, we want to ensure the officers' readiness in performing screening activities for the travelers," explained Heru Tjondro, the Director of the Directorate of Immigration Cooperation, DGI, Ministry of Law and Human Rights Republic of Indonesia, during the opening ceremony to kick off the assessments.

 Sebastien Reclaru, Project Coordinator IOM Indonesia, mentioned that the current COVID-19 pandemic remains, first and foremost, a health issue. However, it has also had an unprecedented impact on border and migration management for people on the move, including Indonesian workers who migrate to work to build skills and to remit funds back home to family members.

"Our COVID-19 response and recovery plans must look at prioritizing health at key points in the migration journey so that mobility remains safe and orderly, particularly with the country opening up to all travelers to avoid more waves of infections", he added.

Moving forward, IOM with the support from the DGI, will provide capacity development to PoE authorities and infrastructure improvement at strategic PoEs as well as more equipment and supplies to support Indonesia’s recovery phase against the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about the project, please contact Panji Nindia Putra Sudoyo, IOM´s National Project Officer at psudoyo@iom.int.

For media queries, please contact Ariani Hasanah Soejoeti, IOM's National Media and Communications Officer in Indonesia at asoejoeti@iom.int/08122726308.