iom x myanmar campaign · iom x year 3 annual report the iom x myanmar campaign encourages aspirant...

IOM X YEAR 3 ANNUAL REPORT

The IOM X Myanmar Campaign encourages aspirant migrants to find reliable and safe migration information in order to better protect themselves against exploitation and human trafficking. Since September 2017, the campaign’s activities – including a landing page, an eight-part video series and two media events – have potentially been viewed more than 170 million times, reaching millions of people with safe migration information. The IOM X Myanmar Campaign was produced in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Myanmar Government’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population (MOLIP).

IOM X MYANMAR CAMPAIGN

IOM OIM

IOMX.org


IOM X Annual Report Year 3Reporting Period: 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016Publisher: IOM XPublication Date: October 2016

IOM X MYANMAR CAMPAIGN REACH SEPTEMBER 2017 TO AUGUST 2018

170 million potential views

9 videos produced

1.4 million viewers of videos online

72 broadcasts on television

3 events

71 news articles and broadcasts

25 public sector reps consulted

US$69,214 in private sector

support

11,389 visitors to landing page

1,051 research participants

2 private sector partners

275 people attended events

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Child soldiers are children (under the age of 18) recruited to fight in conflicts, act as porters, couriers, spies, guards, suicide bombers or human shields for an armed group. Children who clean and cook or who are used for sexual exploitation in the conflict context are also considered child soldiers.1

Children who are forced to join armed groups by coercion, abduction, violence or threat of violence are also considered to have been trafficked. The majority of child soldiers are trafficking victims.2

No exact figures on child soldiers are available but it is believed that tens of thousands of children are forcibly recruited to be child soldiers in conflicts around the world. 3

It is estimated that one third of all child soldiers are girls who are primarily forced to provide sexual services. Some are also forced into combat. [4][5]

Displaced, orphaned and homeless children are some of the most vulnerable. Children living in conflict areas are also kidnapped or forcibly recruited while at school or at home with their families.6

Child soldiers are usually put through brutal indoctrination processes to brainwash and desensitize them. This includes physical violence, torture, making them watch killings, disfiguring their family members, or forcing them to kill friends, family members or other victims.7

Female child soldiers face the risk of repeated rape, sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. Reintegration for these girls is particularly difficult, especially if they return pregnant or with children.8

Many child soldiers experience psychological trauma. Often they return from war suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, severe depres-sion or other mental health issues.9

The lack of a normal childhood, the exposure to extreme violence and the stigmatization child soldiers face make reintegration difficult. Failure to reintegrate prevents these children from learning skills and getting jobs, which often leads to rejoining conflicts and thereby continues the cycle of violence.10

Child Soldiers

Trafficking for Organ Removal

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Organ trafficking is not the same as trafficking for organ removal. Trafficking for organ removal is an individual being trafficked for the purpose of removing their organ(s), whereas organ trafficking is the illegal buying and selling of organs. A trafficked organ could come from a trafficked individual but that is not always the case; they may be two separate crimes. The two terms should not be conflated.1

Illegal profits from the trafficking for organ removal is estimated to be worth between US$600 million-1.2 billion a year.2 The growth in this practice is due to a reduction in the number of legally obtained organs available for transplant, and an increase in the number of people waiting for transplants, as they have become more routine in recent years. Organized criminals can make a lot of money from unethical clinics that will buy a heart, kidney or pancreas for wealthy patients.3

About 0.3 per cent of all trafficking victims are trafficked for organ removal. However, this number is based on reported cases only and it is assumed that the actual number is much higher.5

The most commonly harvested organ is the kidney; it is estimated that 5-10 per cent of all kidney transplants worldwide come from victims of trafficking for organ removal. The second most commonly harvested organ from trafficking victims is the liver.6

Vulnerable individuals, including aspirant migrants, homeless people and illiterate people are most at risk of being trafficked for organ removal because they are often searching for economic opportunities which makes them easy prey for traffickers offering money.7

Although there is a lack of concrete data, the average organ supplier is roughly 30 years of age and has a low level of education.8 Additionally, victims tend to come from poor nations, including several countries in the Asia Pacific.9

Reports show that recruiters will promise up to US$20,000 for a kidney; however, victims trafficked for organ removal may actually be paid as little as US$500. The average victim receives between US$3,500-6,000 (based on reported cases). Kidneys sourced from victims trafficked for organ removal can sell for up to US$200,000.10

Victims of trafficking for organ removal, specifically kidney removal, can often be identified by their scars, which are an average of 20 inches long. These scars are so long because those who harvest the kidney try to minimize their costs and so they skip MRI or CT scans that determine the exact location of the kidney. These surgeons do not use laparoscopic surgery, which would only leave a four-inch scar, because this type of surgery is more expensive.12

After surgery, victims of trafficking for organ removal may experience social isolation due to the stigmatization they face for having fallen victim to the crime. Additionally, they often feel ashamed, especially if their overall economic situation does not improve.13 In addition to being at risk of serious physical damage and long-term health prob-lems, victims of trafficking for organ removal can also suffer from psychological and emotional effects such as health fears, depression or and feelings of violation.14

Organs taken from victims are trafficked all over the world through an elaborate network. Many people are involved in this illegal business, including recruiters, victims, doctors, nurses, hospitals and organ recipients.11

First, victims can be forced or deceived into giving an organ; second, people can agree to sell their organ but then are either not paid at all or are paid less than was agreed; and third, individuals seek treatment for a condition (sometimes they are made to believe they are suffering from a condition or they are victims of a road traffic accident) and have their organs removed without agreeing.4 In some cases victims are murdered for their organs.

Three types of trafficking for organ removal are most common.

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IOMX.org/mm


Migration is a topic that affects a substantial percentage of Myanmar’s population. It is estimated that over 13 million, or 25 per cent of people in Myanmar are migrants – having migrated either internally or abroad.1 Myanmar has the largest share of outward migration of all countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.2 It is estimated that there are between 450,000 and 3,000,000 Myanmar migrants living in Thailand alone, the largest destination country.3 Although avenues for regular migration exist, most labour migration to Thailand occurs through irregular channels as migrants believe regular channels are expensive and take a long time.4 Other popular destination countries include Malaysia, China, Singapore and the United States. Migrants who migrate through irregular channels are far more vulnerable to exploitation as they often fear legal repercussions and are too fearful to inform authorities when experiencing exploitation. Myanmar migrants have been found to be victims of forced labour (in manufacturing, construction, fishing and agriculture, as well as in domestic work), sexual exploitation and forced begging. Victims of human trafficking and exploitation are often promised lucrative jobs, only to be tricked into exploitative conditions. Often victims are deceived about costs associated with recruitment, placing them in situations of debt bondage.5


CAMPAIGN DESIGN

1 IOM Myanmar, General Information – Overview. Available from www.iom.int/countries/myanmar. 2 Ibid. 3 UNODC, Trafficking in Persons from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar to Thailand (2017), pp. 100. 4 Ibid, pp. vii. 5 UNODC, Trafficking in Persons from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar to Thailand (2017),,pp. 119-123.

RESEARCH The IOM X Myanmar Campaign began in September 2017 with a survey of 1,002 aspirant migrants in seven townships in Yangon, to explore levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding safe migration. Respondent demographics were based on those who are most susceptible to human trafficking and exploitation.

Male or female,

between the ages of 18-35

Aspiration to migrate

abroad within the next 12 months

Lower education (no formal education

past middle school)

KEY FINDINGS FROM SURVEY For the 77% that use the Internet, 99% access it using their mobiles phones.

86% have been exposed to information about how to migrate safely, but the majority (84%) heard about safe migration from friends and family.

Only 52% of respondents knew all the right documents they needed to migrate abroad: passport, work visa and employment contract.

Only 22% of respondents knew that Migrant Resource Centres or Labour Exchange Offices offer reliable migration information.

94% said they knew what human trafficking is, but only 33% knew that men, women and children can be at risk of trafficking.

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IOM X YEAR 3 ANNUAL REPORT 2


CAMPAIGN DESIGN MEDIA PROFILE OF RESPONDENTS The survey also looked at media consumption habits of respondents, to inform how best to reach the target audience. •  Ownership: 93% TV, 90% smartphone or

tablet, 76% Internet, 46% newspaper, 23% radio

•  Usage: 91% TV, 77% Internet, 19% radio. Men have higher media usage than women.

•  Popular TV channels: MRTV 4 (89%), Channel 7 (88%), TV Myanmar/MRTV (73%)

•  Popular TV programmes: Movies (81%), local news (80%), international news (77%). Sports popular with men (76%) and drama series popular with women (87%).

•  Accessing the Internet: For the 77% that use the Internet, 99% access it using their mobiles phones.

RESULTS ANALYSIS

The results from the survey were presented to 25 stakeholders ((I)NGOs, CBOs and former victims of trafficking) at a Participatory Planning and Capacity Development (PPCD) workshop on 17-19 October 2017 in Yangon. It was determined that the key priority that the IOM X Myanmar Campaign should focus on is the practice of migrating abroad without a contract. After the PPCD, IOM X held consultations with, MOLIP and IOM Myanmar where it was decided, given the vast diversity of Myanmar migrants information needs and opportunities for tailored content and distribution online, the campaign would also address a number of different safe migration practices. To understand the issues, IOM X analyzed 200 interviews with Myanmar migrants and their communities, conducted by IOM in 2017 under the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) supported Capitalising Human Mobility Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development (CHIME) programme. Four themes in particular stood out:

The importance of financial planning for migration.

Where to get

migration information.

What documents are needed for regular migration.

Importance of knowing rights and

recourse in destination

country.

The following key aspects were identified to be at the core of the IOM X Myanmar Campaign:

TRAFFICKING TREND Aspirant migrants often don’t know the steps to take informed migration decisions, putting them at risk of exploitation at their destination.

DESIRED BEHAVIOUR CHANGE

If you or someone you know wants to migrate for work, visit IOMX.org/mm to find out where to access to trusted sources of information.

PRIMARY AUDIENCE Young men and women, aged 18-35, nationwide, low education levels, with the desire to migrate.

MEDIA Video

In January 2018, video scripts were developed and pre-tested with aspirant migrants in Yangon. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) took place with 30 migrants from the Hlaing Thar Yar Township. The FGDs revealed that the scripts were realistic and that the participants could identify with them.



MEDIA CONTENT The eight-video Make Migration Work series comprises four stories, each told from two different perspectives. The short dramas illustrate why it pays to seek information and guidance before migrating, and provide different ways that people can do this, including through the IOM Myanmar Miss Migration Facebook page. The online views below are from 7 May to 9 August 2018.

The importance of financial planning for migration. Cho Zin's story (3m 39s) When her debts became too high, her daughter’s future prospects became limited. Cho Zin had few choices: take a chance earning money in the city or sink deeper in debt. It was harder than she thought. But was it worth it? Online views to date: 685,032 Link: https://youtu.be/vQol_pT_4_I

Where to get migration information. Kyaw Lin's story (3m 1s)

Kyaw Lin wanted to see the world. But when he was deceived by a crooked broker, his savings vanished. He wants his story to

be a warning to others – especially his friends back home, so they don’t fall into the same trap.

Online views to date: 112,964 Link: https://youtu.be/8ZlIpMdHhlI

Zayar Hyun's story (3m 34s)

Zayar Htun decided to move to Yangon, where he trained to be a carpenter. Now he has a taste for travel and he wants to keep learning and working. How can he prepare himself for the next

chapter in his story? Online views to date: 75,396

Link: https://youtu.be/Jk7RQbSIkb4

Tin Mya's story (3m 21s) When Cho Zin left to work in the city, she had to leave her own daughter at home with Tin Mya, the child’s grandmother. Tin Mya was determined to ensure this sacrifice wasn’t in vain, and carefully managed the money Cho Zin sent home to build a better life for her daughter. Online views to date: 71,519 Link: https://youtu.be/pIs3LcWVqjg



MEDIA CONTENT

What documents are needed for regular migration. Yinmay Zaw’s story (3m 18s)

Yinmay Zaw left her simple life in rural Myanmar to work in a hotel. She’s doing well, largely thanks to her parents, who helped

ensure she took the right precautions before leaving home. Online views to date: 70,755

Link: https://youtu.be/SwQPJCnOYGc

Importance of knowing rights and recourse in the destination country.

Nay Lin’s story (3m 22s) Life was tough at home for Nay Lin. He fought with his father constantly, which finally pushed him to seek work abroad. By following four steps before he moved away, he was able to migrate easily and safely. Online views to date: 114,480 Link: https://youtu.be/hjehb0PNEj8 Myint Myint Kyi's story (3m 11s) Nay Lin’s mother, Myint Myint Kyi, was heartbroken when her son left home. She also feared for his safety. Many people had told her about the terrible exploitation some migrant workers have been subjected to. She felt reassured knowing that he was taking the right precautions. Online views to date: 144,602 Link: https://youtu.be/A4Cwdw7R5NM

IOM X also produced a trailer for the Make Migration Work video series and a short video where viewers of the series are asked questions about what they learned from the videos. Both are available at YouTube.com/IOMXorg.

Zaw Aye's story (3m 57s) It's been tough for Zaw Aye after his daughter left home. He

misses her dearly, but he knows she made the right decisions. He knew it was important for her to find information before she left,

and he helped her do this. Online views to date: 101,173

Link: https://youtu.be/_5yP7QIg4ok


IOM X built a dedicated landing page for the Make Migration Work video series, as well as other content relevant to the target audience. The Myanmar landing page IOMX.org/mm was visited 11,389 times from 7 May to 9 August 2018. Additionally, IOM X built an English version of this page for practitioners and members of the target audience that don’t read Myanmar language, IOMX.org/mm/english.


LANDING PAGE

Header: information about the IOM X campaign. Eight campaign videos: showcased here in four, two-part stories. Miss Migration: the Myanmar Campaign Launch also supported the launch of Miss Migration, a Facebook-based chatbot under the IOM LIFT programme, that helps users find reliable information online about safe and gainful migration. Factsheets: downloadable factsheets provide practical tips to prospective migrants thinking about working away from home, on topics like financial management, finding a reputable employer and indicators of exploitation. Reputable sources of information: IOM X promotes Migrant Resource Centres and Labour Employment Offices as places where migrants can find reliable sources of information. Types of exploitation: definitions of different types of exploitation are made available here in Myanmar language to further the target audience’s understanding of exploitation and the many different forms it can take. Translated content: popular IOM X videos have been reversioned in Myanmar language. These include: What Is Human Trafficking; Know Before You Go; and Prisana.

Practitioner resources: essential resources for practitioners are available to download, including the Communication for Development toolkit, Myanmar factsheet, and tips for safe and gainful migration.


The Make Migration Work video series was launched by His Excellency U Thein Swe, Union Minister for the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, at a media event in Nay Pyi Taw on 7 May 2018. A total of 75 people attended the media launch, including 20 journalists from 12 publications. The event generated more than 10 news articles and broadcasts, with a PR value of US$5,490.


NAY PYI TAW MEDIA LAUNCH

His Excellency U Thein Swe opens the event.

Akio Nakayama, IOM Chief of Mission, speaks with media.

His Excellency U Thein Swe speaks with media.

Government guests at the event. A guest takes a photo during the event. Tara Dermott (center), IOM X Program Leader, attends the event.


IOM X organized Myanmar’s first ever “Media+Tech for Migration” Forum on 3 July 2018 at the Burbrit Brewery in Yangon. The event was opened by U Win Shein, Director General, Department of Labour, MOLIP. Akio Nakayama, Chief of Mission of IOM Myanmar, provided welcoming remarks. Over 200 people attended the event, including 58 journalists from 40 media organizations. As of 15 August, the event had generated 61 articles and broadcasts, with a PR value of US$53,084. Following an introduction to the IOM X Myanmar Campaign by Tara Dermott, Program Leader of IOM X, speakers from a mix of organizations (IOM Myanmar, ICT4D Working Group and Issara Institute) presented on the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for migration, returned migrants using mobile phone applications, and how to best communicate with migrants and their communities. The Make Migration Work videos were screened between speakers. Teresa McGhie, USAID Mission Director, provided closing remarks at the event. In addition to a graffiti artist who painted a mural promoting IOMX.org/mm during the event, guests were treated to a performance by one of Myanmar’s best vocalists, Chan Chan.

Saijai Liangpunsakul, Chairperson, ICT4D Working

Group

Ohnmar Ei Ei Chaw, Country Director, Issara Institute

Tara Dermott, Program Leader, IOM X

Michiko Ito, Programme Manager Labour Mobility and

Human Development, IOM Myanmar

Akio Nakayama, Chief of Mission, IOM Myanmar (left) Teresa McGhie, USAID Mission Director (right)

U Win Shein, Director General, Department of Labour, MOLIP


BROADCAST PARTNERS Distribution of the Make Migration Work video series is being supported by IOM X’s two broadcast partners, Mizzima and the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB). Through regular airings of the videos on television, as well as online promotion, the safe migration messaging has potentially been viewed over 170 million times. MOLIP is also securing airings of the videos on national, free-to-air broadcasters, including one of Myanmar’s most popular stations, MRTV, which will potentially potentially reach millions more.

Singer Chan Chan Teresa McGhie, USAID Mission Director Over 200 people attended the event.

Graffiti artist works on mural Matt Wallace, CEO of Opportunities Now, discusses use of chatbots for education

Singer Chan Chan and guests

ASK MISS MIGRATION The launch of the IOM X Myanmar Campaign also supported the launch of the Facebook-based chatbot, Mel Shwet Pyaung (‘Miss Migration’). The bot is an IOM Myanmar initiative under the LIFT programme, aimed to assist users in finding out more about safe migration online by pointing them to reliable sources of information in Myanmar language. The bot has gained over 3,371 ‘likes’ and been used by approximately 1,050 people since it started in May 2018. Try it out at Facebook.com/MissMigration

Full Media+Tech for Migration photo album accessible online: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmiFVNuu


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71 Number of articles and broadcasts about IOM X’s

activities in Myanmar.

US$58,574 Estimated PR value of media coverage.


MEDIA COVERAGEREPORTING PERIOD: 2 MAY – 15 AUGUST 2018


DIGITAL ENGAGEMENTREPORTING PERIOD: 2 MAY – 9 August 2018

1,423,742 online video views (including

partner sites)

11,389 landing page visits

3,891 online engagements

IOM X produced a suite of social media content in Myanmar language to further the target audience’s engagement in the campaign, including fact cards on safe migration, and educational content on types of exploitation.

Full PR report at https://tinyurl.com/yd3uvojj


CHALLENGE SOLUTION

A serious challenge for information dissemination in Myanmar is the sheer scale and diversity of information needs. One in four Myanmar people are migrants and their information needs depend on who they are, where they are coming from, where they want to go and what they want to do.

IOM X overcame this by shifting the emphasis away from giving specific information about migration to increasing understanding of the importance and value of seeking out information to inform migration decisions and promoting a few different kinds of information resource options (both online and offline). IOM X also supported IOM Myanmar to promote the Miss Migration Facebook chatbot as a way for everyone who has a smart phone to access information more easily.

Many people in Myanmar (and thus the target audience for this campaign) don’t read Myanmar, which impacted the usefulness of the landing page for this campaign, IOMX.org/mm.

To address this, IOM X built an English version of the landing page and is reversioning of the Make Migration Work video series into five additional ethnic languages.

While the IOM X in-country campaign format is normally a more community based project, our focus shifted early on due to the nationwide need for a mass communication campaign, and the potential to leverage IOM Myanmar’s Miss Migration chatbot.

The initial research was supplemented by a review of over 200 interview transcripts with migrants and their families around the country. The learnings from both of these informed the design of the campaign making it relevant nationwide. In addition, the distribution strategy was expanded to a national level, and therefore national broadcast partners were engaged. To ensure the video series is accessible to different ethnic groups in Myanmar, a total of six language versions will be distributed.

Some speakers at the 3 July event spoke over their allotted 6-minute slot, and therefore the event ran overtime.

Have a time keeper in the front row that is visible to all speakers.

As the event included the screening of eight videos, it was essential that IOM X had a reliable power source. This is not always a given in Yangon, especially in rainy season.

Through its event organizer, IOM X secured a back-up generator to ensure a flawless event without interruption to the audio-visual components.

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For more information, please contact Tara Dermott, IOM X Program Leader, at [email protected].

IOM OIM

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CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

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For more information, please contact Tara Dermott, IOM X Program Leader, at [email protected].

iom x myanmar campaign · iom x year 3 annual report the iom x myanmar campaign encourages aspirant...

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