Experience with the 2002-2004 Regional Strategy has shown that three broad objectives are central to achieving the overarching goal of strengthening stakeholders’ multi-sectoral response to the heightened HIV vulnerability of MMPs in the South-East Asian countries and southern provinces of China.

These objectives are:

1. The creation of an enabling and empowering environment;
2. The participation of a wide range of partners in people-centered development efforts focused on MMPs, their families and their host communities; and
3. The provision of effective prevention, care, treatment and support measures for the target group in accordance with evidence-based guidelines and priorities.

MMPs are typically marginalized people. Cross-border migrants are particularly disadvantaged by ethno-linguistic differences and non-citizenship, restricting their access to host country services. Many are undocumented, thus isolating them even further. Moreover, MMPs in general, whether internal or international, tend to end up in ‘3D occupations’ (dirty, dangerous and difficult) with low incomes and low status. All these factors contribute to their heightened vulnerability to HIV and AIDS.

Therefore, in order to tackle this issue, primary emphasis must be placed on empowering MMPs and PLWHAs, and creating an environment which allows them greater control over their own destiny. They will have the freedom to seek the information, services, commodities and programmes they need to lower their HIV vulnerability. And, they will participate fully, together with their communities, in people-centred programmes designed to enhance HIV resilience.

However, they also need external advice, action and support to boost their own efforts. The multisectoral knowledge and experience of experts and partners are needed to guide them towards lowered HIV vulnerability. These partnerships are crucial to achieving the overarching goal. But MMPs and PLWHAs will always be present and active when relevant policies, programmes and interventions are being discussed in national and regional fora, to ensure proposed approaches meet their specific needs.

What is required, then, is a combination of committed forces working in coordination to reduce the HIV vulnerability of MMPs. In the context of the geographical area covered by this strategy, two principal levels of coordination are required: region-based and country-based. Effective country linkages with local authorities in neighbouring border communities (particularly in HIV/AIDS “hot spots”) are also required, through appropriate local-provincial-national reporting procedures. The relationship between the two principal coordinating mechanisms and the three broad objectives of this strategy are depicted in the following diagram.

Institutional framework: UNRTF, MTWG,

monitoring and evaluation

The primary target audience for this 2006-2008 Regional Strategy will be the Directors-General or Secretaries of NAAs in the countries concerned, national AIDS programme managers, local authorities in neighbouring border provinces (particularly in HIV/AIDS “hot spots”), civil society organizations, including migrant groups and the UN Regional Task Force on Mobility and HIV Vulnerability. However, the larger audience will be the broad range of stakeholders set out above in Objective 2 and above all, the migrants themselves.

The successful achievement of the above objectives and targeted outcomes will depend on a number of factors, the most crucial of which are as follows:

Mobility-HIV vulnerability reduction strategies must be fully integrated into National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plans throughout the region, together with a costing of interventions based on the Resources Needs Model (Goals Model) and unit cost methods. In order to fill gaps in the national response related to mobility-linked HIV vulnerability , some issues of HIV vulnerability will be subjected to ‘A-squared’ (A2 or analysis and advocacy) approaches and mechanisms.

Resource mobilization targets for mobility-HIV vulnerability reduction interventions will be established in all countries in the region. Resource mobilization strategies will be focused on both traditional and potential new donors.

The full support of ASEAN is required if the strategies in this document are to be turned into effective outcomes. It will be particularly important for mobility issues to be addressed by the ASEAN Task Force on AIDS (ATFOA). Advocacy will also be undertaken in other regional fora such as ADB, APEC and GMS.

New national responsibility mechanisms for mobility-HIV/AIDS issues shall be established in every country in the region, to generate a two-way linkage between the regional and the national levels and to facilitate greater national ownership. (See Chapter E). These new mechanisms must work as cohesive and dedicated teams, with effective leadership and strong linkages to NAAs, local authorities in border areas, and the UNRTF. NAA support will be critically important. These new national responsibility mechanisms will also cultivate indirect relationships with UN agencies and donors through the intermediaries of NAAs and UN Theme Groups on HIV/AIDS (UNTGs). ......