Vientiane - The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, has launched a capacity training and data collection initiative to better understand migration flows and trends in the northern provinces of Luang Namtha and Oudomxay in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Lao People’s Democratic Republic is primarily a source country, and now a growing transit and destination for migrants from the region. Luang Namtha and Oudomxay provinces are located close to international borders with fluid cross-border movements and are a hub for socio-economic activities. This makes them an ideal area for studying migration trends and patterns. The increasing flow of in and outbound migrants in the north is shaping the country’s overall migration dynamics and the northern region in particular.

IOM’s capacity training and data collection initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of provincial officials to better understand the human mobility and situation of migrant workers, systematically collect and analyze essential data on migration patterns using KOBO tool, an application designed for efficient data gathering in remote areas.

The KOBO training workshop took place from 22-23 April in Luang Namtha and 2-3 May in Oudomxay provinces respectively. Training sessions and exercises equipped 56 participating officials represented by concerned agencies with essential skills and knowledge on how to moderate interviews and use advanced digital tools to collect data efficiently at target locations such as points of entry, railway stations and the surrounding community.

The data was collected through IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Flow Monitoring tool, which tracks and analyzes the movement and needs of mobile populations. Detailed data collection will inform Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare efforts to formulate evidence-based migration policies and framework that address specific vulnerabilities and risks including trafficking and exploitation for those of the move, leading to improved living and working conditions for Lao migrant workers.

“The evidence-based report shall serve as a pivotal reference for further IOM programming in the country to make existing and new regular pathways accessible and inclusive to enable more individuals to benefit from opportunities for development and protection for the migrants we serve,” said Shareen Tuladhar, IOM Chief of Mission in Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

“The findings from this flow monitoring will provide crucial evidence-based data for the Lao Government to inform future programming and interventions, ensuring the humane, safe, orderly migration for all Lao migrants,” said Phornsamay Siheuangxay, National Project Officer.

IOM is committed to its partnership with the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic and other stakeholders to continue advocating for the rights of migrants in safe and fair labour migration and protecting vulnerable individuals to trafficking in persons.

This initiative was funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration under the “Asia Regional Migration Programme.”

For more information please contact: Phornsamay Siheuangxay, National Project Officer at psiheuangsay@iom.int