The Second Mekong International Bridge, linking Thailand and Laos, is expected to open by the end of 2006. The bridge was funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and constructed by a consortium of Japanese and Thai companies.

This was the first large-scale infrastructure project for Japan to link multilateral and bilateral assistance.

The bridge project included a component specifically to prevent HIV/AIDS at the construction site, and IPPF and PPAT implemented this with the support of JOICFP.

A view from the Thai side
across the newly constructed bridge

From 25th to 28th October, JOICFP participated a mission to the site with representatives from IPPF ESEAOR, VINAFPA, IPPA, JBIC, and PPAT to observe how HIV/AIDS prevention and education activities had contributed to the community, and to assist the representatives from Indonesia and Vietnam with planned major construction projects supported by the Japan Trust Fund (JTF)

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) considers the project to show the comparative advantage of PPAT (an IPPF member organization) in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS in the community, and JOICFP observed the project and reported to MOFA on behalf of IPPF. For the projects planned in Indonesia and Vietnam, IPPF member organizations are expected to be responsible for HIV/AIDS prevention.

A PPAT billboard stressing the need for safety
at all times in all places

The process

HIV/AIDS prevention and education activities at major construction works are not common, and during these activities commencing, PPAT and PLWHA worked to sensitize the consortium on the need for prevention and education, as well as assure that activities would not interfere with construction.

PPAT carried out IEC activities before daily work started, at lunch breaks and in the evenings after work, as well as at regular safety meetings. The construction companies came to look at HIV prevention as risk management, and as contributing to corporate social responsibility.

Visiting the construction workers' housing

The growth of a successful relationship between PPAT and the consortium greatly enhanced the effectiveness of the IEC activities. PPAT distributed condoms, noting that its biggest clients were foreign engineers, and as awareness increased, behavior changed, leading to a rate of condom usage of over 70%.

JOICFP welcomes that the collaboration of JBIC's loan for infrastructure and JTF funded HIV prevention work of IPPF member associations are becoming institutionalized through collaborative advocacy of IPPF and JOICFP.

In future, JOICFP, as IPPF Tokyo Liaison Office, will carry out advocacy activities to JBIC, MOFA, consultants and construction companies to include HIV/AIDS prevention components in major infrastructure projects, including domestically.