International Organization for Migration (IOM) hosted a weeklong project review workshop as part of a regular monitoring and evaluation exercise for Ripfumelo. Aimed to review the progress of the implementation of the project and addressing challenges related to programme implementation, the workshop convened various implementing partners (IPs), IOM officials and other stakeholders.

Over 40 accomplices comprising of IPs, directors of organizations, finance managers, programmes coordinators/managers, and M&E officers, participated on the workshop.

Amongst various programmes, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is championing a migration and health programme aimed at addressing the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by migrants and migration affected communities by responding to their health needs throughout all phases of the migration process. Partnership on Health and Mobility in East and Southern Africa (PHAMESA), Ripfumelo HIV Prevention and Care Programme for farm workers in South Africa, and Partnership on Health and Mobility in the Mining Sector of Southern Africa, are three migration and health projects that IOM is running in and outside South Africa. IOM targets labour migrants and mobile workers; forced migrants and irregular migrants; and people affected by mobility. The activities are focused on areas where migrants are present and can be accessed including border communities, “hot spots” or Spaces of Vulnerability along transport corridors, workplaces, urban informal settlements, migrant sending communities, and detention centres, to name but a few.

IOM implements the Ripfumelo project focusing on HIV/AIDS/STI/TB prevention and care interventions for migrants and mobile populations including communities they interact with. Largely covering Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, the project is also implemented in Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal. Over the years Ripfumelo has established solid partnerships with government, NGO’s, community structures, and communities, in efforts to responding the health needs in the context of HIV and migration. Currently the project works with the Hoedspruit Training Trust (Hlokomela), Tira Uhanyile under the Nkomazi Local Municipality, Masisukumeni Women’s Crisis Centre, Centre for Positive Change, ChoiCE Trust, Ehlanzeni and Vhembe district Municipalities, as implementing partners.