Indonesia -  The International Organization for Migration (IOM) continues to support the Government of Indonesia's COVID-19 response and recovery efforts by distributing equipment and supplies to Points of Entry (PoEs) across Indonesia. From February to July, IOM has distributed 4,108 equipment and supplies to 17 PoEs including the ones in Surabaya, Medan, Yogyakarta, Mataram, and Manado, also in remote locations such as Skouw in Papua, Tahuna in North Sulawesi, Nanga Badau in West Kalimantan, and Motaain in Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara. 

"With almost 200 PoEs across Indonesia, they all play a significant role in securing the nation's borders against the pandemic and other issues, such as transnational organized crime," explained Sebastien Reclaru, IOM's Project Manager for" Empowering Migrant Worker Households and Strengthening Capacities at Points of Entry in Indonesia" and "2021 IOM COVID-19 Strategic Response and Recovery Plan" in Indonesia.

Reclaru later added, "given that PoE officers are at the forefront and continue to process travelers and goods during the pandemic, adequate protection to minimize the risk of COVID infection and transmission and to control the spread of the disease is deemed fundamental".

The equipment and supplies for Indonesia's PoEs, among others, consist of:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Screening equipment
• Disinfectant and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) materials

During a handover ceremony in Surabaya on 20 July, Mr. Anggi Adriyudo, Head of Clearance Subsection Immigration Office Class I Immigration Check Point Tanjung Perak,  mentioned that there had been a significant increase in the need to always be vigilant during the pandemic. As one of the points of entry for exported and imported goods, it is essential to equip Tanjung Perak Seaport frontline officers with the necessary protective equipment to screen sea crews entering and exiting the seaport.

1. Equipment and Supplies Handover to Tanjung Perak Immigration Office. / 2. Discussion after symbolic handover in Medan Immigration Office

3. A symbolic handover of equipment and supplies to Makassar Immigration Office

With the country opening once more to tourists and major international events, such as the G-20 summit, among many others, managing borders and PoEs becomes crucial in order to prevent more outbreaks of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.

The provision of this equipment and supplies is part of a series of support for PoEs and frontline officials to curb the pandemic with financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United States Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM).

Additionally, IOM will assess the PoEs' capacities, preparedness, prevention, and control of COVID-19, provide capacity development to PoEs authorities, and infrastructure improvements at the least-resourced PoEs. These capacity enhancements at the PoEs aim to deliver the best possible protection for migrants, travelers, frontline officials, staff at the PoEs, and migrants' home communities to build back better from the pandemic.

For more information about the project, please contact Panji Sudoyo, IOM's National Project Officer for Immigration and Border Management in Indonesia 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.