Jakarta – With the support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), IOM launched a new, multi-pronged project to support the Government of Indonesia’s efforts to address the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Indonesian migrant worker and their families, and to bolster prevention and mitigation measures at the points of entry in Indonesia.   

The project is part of KOICA’s response mechanism known as the ABC Programme, or the Agenda for Building Resilience against COVID-19 through Development Cooperation.   
KOICA and IOM will partner with the National Agency for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BP2MI) and other government partners to deliver immediate assistance at transit shelters for returning Indonesian migrant workers, to assist impacted migrant worker households with tailored economic empowerment assistance, and to provide technical support to local governments in ensuring the inclusion of migrant workers in their pandemic response. 

Indonesian migrant workers and their households have faced extraordinary difficulties during the pandemic, including loss of employment, inability to go abroad for their livelihoods, as well as stigma both abroad and at home.  

An IOM survey of returning Indonesian migrant workers revealed that more than 70% remained unemployed following their return home to Indonesia.  

Hoejin Jeong, Country Director of KOICA Indonesia Office, expressed his sincere expectation and impacts to be achieved under ABC Program.  "In line with our support in 2020, KOICA's ABC Program underlines capacity improvement in COVID-19 test sector as well as continuous emergency support. With solid partnership between KOICA and IOM, we strongly expect to capture vulnerable groups like migrants who are easily-overlooked, and ensure the safety of Indonesians' lives and livelihood enhancing response and recovery capacities against pandemic in the middle of appearance of delta virus and aggravating COVID-19 situation." Hoejin said.

Louis Hoffmann, IOM Indonesia Chief of Mission, emphasized how mobility is an essential element to include as part of wider COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.  

“The current COVID-19 pandemic remains, first and foremost, a health issue.  However, it’s also having wide-ranging effects on mobility. Immigration and border regimes have a significant impact on the situation of all 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.,” Hoffmann added.  

The new KOICA-funded project will also increase the capacities of frontline officers at airports, seaports, and border crossing points in Indonesia, including to reinforce COVID-19 protocols and detection capacity at points of entry.  

The COVID-19 outbreak in Indonesia continues to accelerate, particularly following the Eid ul-Fitr holiday in May 2021 and the spread of the virus’ Delta variant, with record case numbers being detected in late June 2021.  

About KOICA

KOICA's mandate is to contribute to the advancement of international cooperation through various projects that build friendly and collaborative relationships and mutual exchanges between Korea and developing countries and support the economic and social development in developing countries. Read more: www.koica.go.kr

About IOM 

Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - UN Migration - is the leading inter-governmental organization dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by advancing the understanding of migration issues, assisting governments in meeting the challenges of migration, encouraging social and economic development through migration, and upholding the dignity and well-being of migrants, their families, and their communities. For more information about IOM in Indonesia, visit https://indonesia.iom.int/ 

MEDIA CONTACTS

IOM: National Media and Communications Officer, Ariani H Soejoeti, asoejoeti@iom.int 

KOICA Indonesia Office: ODA Program Officer, Sunyoung Lee, sunhailey89@koica.go.kr