CORRIDORS OF MOBILITY Mobility and HIV vulnerability factors in four sites along transport corridors in Namibia International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Office for Southern Africa Partnership on HIV and Mobility (PHAMSA) in partnership with The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Namibia Dr Debie LeBeau, Research Consultant ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The International Organization for Migration wishes to thank the following people for their contributions to this publication: • Daniel Motinga and Renata from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) for the overall administrative management • Barbara Rijks (IOM) for overall project management • Christiaan Keulder who was the project coordinator and co-researcher for Walvis Bay and analysed and created the maps in Arch-view • Field researchers: Martin Shapi (Field Site Supervisor) and Christine Shilima (Rundu), Djaupyu Siteketa (Field Site Supervisor) and Mulemwa Likando (Katima Mulilo), Simon LIipinge (Field Site Supervisor) and Veronica Naukushu (Oshikango and Walvis Bay) • Geo Business Solutions for creating the base maps, entering the site map data, producing site maps and compiling the map database • Suzanne LaFont from the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) and Katy Barwise (IOM) for editorial input • Background sections in this document borrow liberally from LeBeau and have been utilised with the author’s full permission. Interview data were transcribed, translated and/or verified by Fransina Ndateelela Kahungu, Renata de Wee, Faroza Eberenz, Djaupyu Siteketa, Veronika Naukushu, Simon Iipinge, Martin Shapi and Vincent Mwange. Grant J. Spence and Gudrun Reimers reviewed the transcriptions for English accuracy and consistency of meaning. • IPPR and IOM would like to thank the informants and stakeholders who participated in the field research upon which this publication is based. The staff at the various Social Marketing association (SMA) offices provided invaluable assistance and opened many doors for further research opportunities. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ....................................................................................ii 1. List of Figures ..............................................................................ii List of Abbreviations ...............................................................................iv Executive Summary .................................................................................v Part One: Background ...............................................................................8 2. Introduction................................................................................ 8 3. Research Methodology ................................................................10 4. Migration and HIV in Namibia .......................................................19 Part Two: Findings ..................................................................................23 5. Research sites............................................................................23 6. Sex Workers ..............................................................................36 7. Truck Drivers .............................................................................41 8. Fishermen .................................................................................44 9. Informal traders .........................................................................48 10. Responses to the HIV pandemic in research sites ............................50 Part Three: Recommendations and References ............................................55 11. Recommendations ......................................................................55 12. References ................................................................................57 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Multi-Level causes of HIV vulnerability ........................................................ 8 Figure 2 Drawing an Informant Map ...................................................................... 11 Figure 3 Example of an Informant Map from Katima Mulilo ....................................... 12 Figure 4 Interviewing a stakeholder in Oshikango ................................................... 13 Figure 5 Trans Caprivi Corridor (Source: North Star Foundation, Geographical Analysis of potential HIV/AIDS wellness centres, Mark de Blois, Dr Andrew Thow)....................... 17 Figure 6 Overall Map of Walvis Bay ....................................................................... 23 Figure 7 Walvis bay Harbour ................................................................................ 24 Figure 8 The SMA at the entrance to Walvis Bay Harbour ......................................... 24 Figure 9 The New Bridge at Katima Mulilo .............................................................. 26 Figure 10 Ariel Map of Katima Mulilo ..................................................................... 27 Figure 11 Truck Stop and Sex Worker Movements................................................... 28 Figure 12 Overall Map of Rundu............................................................................ 29 Figure 13 The River is Part of Life ......................................................................... 30 Figure 14 Map of Shebeens along the Trans-Caprivi Highway.................................... 31 Figure 15 Rundu Open Market.............................................................................. 31 Figure 16 Community Member's perception of Rundu .............................................. 32 Figure 17 Informal Traders in Oshikango ............................................................... 33 Figure 18 Overall Map of Oshikango ...................................................................... 34 Figure 19 Truck Loading area, Oshikango............................................................... 34 Figure 20 Sex Worker "Hang outs" in Oshikango ..................................................... 35 Figure 21 Interview with Sex Worker..................................................................... 38 Figure 22 Map of Rundo "Hotspots"....................................................................... 39 Figure 23 Truck Ports Katima Mulilo and Oshikango................................................. 42 Figure 24 Oshikango Truck Ports with nearby services ............................................. 42 Figure 25 Risk Taking Behaviour in Walvis Bay ....................................................... 45 Figure 26 Sex Worker's Cognitive Map of Vulnerability and Help................................ 47 Figure 27 Informal Traders in Rundu ..................................................................... 48 Figure 28 Sites if Vulnerability and Care and Support .............................................. 52 Figure 29 "Fishermen are so Far Behind" ............................................................... 54 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ACT AIDS Care Trust AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ALU AIDS Law Unit (part of the LAC) ARV Anti-Retroviral CAA Catholic AIDS Action CAD Computer Assisted Drawing CBD Central Business District CBO Community Based Organisation CCN Council of Churches in Namibia COH Corridors of Hope EPZ Export Processing Zone FBO Faith-based Organisation HDI Human Development Index HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus HPI Human Poverty Index IEC Information, Education and Communication IOM International Organization for Migration IPPR Institute for Public Policy Research LAC Legal Assistance Centre MLG&H Ministry of Local Government and Housing MoHSS Ministry of Health and Social Services MPYC Multi-Purpose Youth Centre NACP National AIDS Control Programme NASOMA National Social Marketing Association NDF Namibian Defense Force NGO Non-Governmental Organisation NPC National Planning Commission NZPC New Zealand Prostitutes Collective OVC Orphans and other Vulnerable Children PHAMSA Partnership on HIV and Mobility in Southern Africa PLAN People’s Liberation Army of Namibia SADC Southern African Development Community SADF South African Defence Force SMA Social Marketing Association SRH Sexual and Reproductive Health SWAPO South West Africa People's Organization (Party) TB Tuberculosis UNTAG UN Transitional Assistance Group VCT Voluntary Counselling and Testing WCPU Women and Child Protection Unit EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This assessment gathered and analysed qualitative data about factors affecting HIV vulnerability in four cross border sites in Namibia: Walvis Bay, Katima Mulilo, Rundu and Oshikango. The main purpose of this assessment was to assist IOM’s Partnership on HIV and Mobility in Southern Africa (PHAMSA) to identify gaps and develop evidence-based prevention and care programmes in areas of vulnerability along corridors of mobility in Namibia. Through literature review, site-mapping, non-structured interviews with informants and stakeholders and ethnographic observations data was gathered. FINDINGS BY SITE Walvis Bay Mobile and related populations in Walvis Bay include fishermen, truck drivers and commercial sex workers. In Walvis Bay truck drivers stay for one or two days while waiting for goods to be loaded onto their trucks. In Walvis Bay there are both foreign fishermen and Namibian fishermen. These fishermen are vulnerable to HIV because they report a high frequency and numbers of sexual partnerships with sex workers. Most foreign fishermen meet sex workers at nightclubs and bars located in and around the harbour area. Local Namibian men also spend long periods of time at sea leaving their partners