The coronavirus pandemic is having an unprecedented and devastating impact on migrant groups worldwide. Travel restrictions and border closures have left thousands of migrants stranded. The conditions in which they migrate, live or work can compound health risks, including access to health services.
Migrants, including displaced persons, often fall outside of social safety nets, lack access to basic services to ensure their health and well-being, and experience situations of increased vulnerability including loss of employment and wages.
The pandemic has also fueled stigma towards migrant workers, both for those that stay in their host country and for those that return home during the crisis.
Internews us working to better understand the needs of vulnerable groups in theis crisis, to ensure they have access to trustworthy information that supports them in making healthy decisions for themselves and their families.
Migrants in Thailand – Information Ecosystem Assessment
This research aims to understand how migrants in Thailand access and share COVID-19 information. This information will be usied to support media and health ommunicators in the region to target trusted information providers with the tools they need to support the information needs of their audience.
You can see a recording of our webinar launch event here.
COVID information for migrants living in Thailand
Early findings of the IEA assessment showed that migrants living and working in Thailand found it difficult to access information about COVID-19 testing, treatment and their labor rights in the languages and formats they prefer.
In response – we have collaborated with IOM, ILO and WHO in Thailand to produce a simple guide to the latest information available including migrant information hotlines available in local languages. This fact sheet and series of social media cards have been shared with local actors who work closely with migrant communities. They are free and available for you to use in your work. If you find them useful, please do share your feedback with [email protected].
Download: Your COVID-19 rights as a migrant in Thailand – Frequently Asked Questions:
Download: Your COVID-19 rights as a migrant in Thailand – Social Cards:
Reporting guidance for journalists
The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity for some right-wing and radical groups to exploit existing prejudice in our communities. In some contexts, especially in South Asia, social media platforms are being used to inflame stigma and discrimination towards migrant workers.
As journalists, how can we intervene early to unite, rather than divide our communities, neutralise stigma, and avoid fanning community bias and anxieties?
Download: COVID-19 Journalist guidance: How to report on migrant issues to reduce stigma and prejudice:
Webinars:
- Reporting on Social and Economic impacts of COVID-19 (Thai), May 29, 2020
- Reducing stigma and prejudice in Covid-19 reporting (Thai), May 4, 2020
- COVID-19 and the return of migrant workers in South Asia (English), June 2, 2020