IOM's KAP (Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices) survey conducted in Atambua and Tanjungpinang on February 2022 showed that rumours and misinformation lead to a low perception of the risk of COVID-19, in which, only 36 out of 180 (20%) respondents in Atambua and 77 out of 191 (40%) respondents in Tanjungpinang believed they were at risk of COVID-19 infection.  It also led individuals to undertake incorrect preventive measures, including vaccine participation rates in both areas, as people worry about the vaccine's side effects and do not believe in the vaccine's effectiveness. The survey also found that COVID-19-related restrictions impact mobility, migration, border management, and border communities such as migrants and travelers. Thus, the prevention and mitigation measures remain crucial at the PoE (Points of Entry). The response system and the promotion of safe, secure, and inclusive human mobility shall continue and become an essential factor in propelling recovery from the pandemic.

Therefore, to support the Government of Indonesia in curbing the COVID-19 transmission and advancing the socio-economic recovery efforts in the country, IOM, in collaboration with Yayasan Cipta organized a pilot activity on Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE). The IOM RCCE initiative begins with a series of training and workshops to raise awareness and understanding on COVID-19 and Safe Migration" for 100 Peer Messengers in Atambua and Tanjungpinang, carried out on last October 12 – 20, 2022. All the Peer Messengers were selected from the affected communities, including local leaders, local champions, youth, vulnerable groups (disabled persons and migrant workers returnees), and community members with strong concerns about COVID-19 and safe migration. The involvement of Peer Messengers is meant to ensure the active participation of the local community, in which the local context and communities' feedback became fundamental to maintaining two-way communication.

Siprianus Mali, S.IP, the secretary of the Belu Health Local Office, during the opening ceremony at the RCCE workshop stated that he hopes that the peer messengers can take part in order to support community understanding of the importance of vaccination and to fully comply with health protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Meanwhile, the local government will communicate to each oof the head public health centres in Belu to support Peer Messenger activities.

Siprianus also explained that currently, the percentage of the first dose of vaccination is at 91.9%, while the second dose is 76.1% and the third dose is at 16.8%. He hoped that the activities that will be conducted by Peer Messengers in the field will contribute to the achievement of vaccination rates  in for Belu,  both doses 2 and 3.

Yeni Larasati, one of the peer messengers in Tanjung Pinang who is also a former Indonesian migrant worker (PMI) says, “ I am proud to be part of this incredible initiative. I hope the experiences I shared during the training and workshops could provide a new perspective for other Peer Messengers in Tanjungpinang on why safe migration is such an important issue. I am committed to supporting all IOM and partners' efforts to promote safe migration and the dangers of non-procedural migration."

By the end of this workshop, the peer messenger will also be required to attend a series of campaign activities which aims to disseminate valid and reliable information on the risk of COVID-19 and its prevention measures to promote as well as to promote safe migration and curb stigma against migrants. The roll-out of the RCCE campaign will include face-to-face engagements, such as community discussion, working with local radio stations to broadcast a talk show, producing e-poster, and uploading series of short clip to YouTube, and any other social media that can reach a broader audience.

IOM’s RCCE activities are closely coordinated with the local government, non-government partners and local leaders in Atambua and Tanjungpinang and with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).  This activity is part of IOM Indonesia’s COVID-19 response and recovery program called “Empowering Migrant Worker Households and Strengthening Capacities at Points of Entry in Indonesia.

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

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