Implementation of the HIV/AIDS and Human Trafficking Awareness Program for the Northern Mountain Provinces Transport Connectivity Project in Lai Chau, Yen Bai, and Lao Cai Provinces

Traffic connection project in the northern mountainous provinces
Vietnam's Northwest mountainous region, including the provinces of Dien Bien, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Son La and Yen Bai, is behind the rest of the country in terms of poverty reduction, with poverty rates ranging from 18% to 45% as of 2016. Over 50% of the region's population is ethnic minorities, including Tay, H'Mong, Thai, Dao, Muong, Nung and Kh'mu . Ethnic minorities, who make up only 15% of the country's population, accounted for 73% of the poor in 2016. They are also disadvantaged due to low education levels and limited financial capacity; Less than 60% of adults in poor households have primary school education or less, and less than 7% have post-secondary education. With a relatively large land area, high mountains, large rivers, fertile soil, beautiful scenery, and borders with Lao PDR and China, the Northwest region has a lot of potential to develop agriculture, forestry, hydropower, mining, tourism and cross-border trade. However, underdeveloped transportation infrastructure has hampered the region's economic development, as it prevents local people from accessing public services and economic opportunities. It also discourages private investment in the region. Currently, the area's overall road density is 0.71 km/square km, 13% lower than the national average, while national highway density is 0.051 km/square km, 20% less than the national average of 0.064 km/square km. Therefore, improving connectivity in the region and improving access to the country's economic centers are important factors for the development of the region.
Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway, considered the backbone of the Northwest region's road network, is part of the Kunming - Hai Phong Mekong Subregion (GMS) Transport Corridor connecting the Hanoi region with Yunnan province in the People's Republic of China and passing through Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces. This expressway was completed in 2014, but provinces neighboring the corridor have yet to benefit from it, demonstrating a slower pace of development compared to the rest of the country. This is because the national and provincial road network is largely incomplete, and the condition of existing roads is generally poor. Existing roads are also vulnerable to natural disasters, specifically flash floods, landslides, rockfalls and wildfires, the likelihood and intensity of which are increasing due to global warming.

The Northern Mountainous Provinces Traffic Connection Project (NMPTCP) is implemented by the Government of Vietnam (CPVN) through a loan funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the management of the Ministry of Transport. The project aims to enhance access to the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) corridors in the Northwest region through upgrading national and provincial highways. The purpose is to (i) provide reliable access to basic social services such as education, health care, job training, and emergency disaster relief; (ii) increase economic and employment opportunities for people in the Northwest provinces, especially poor ethnic minorities; (iii) create further opportunities for cross-border trade with the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the People's Republic of China; (iv) save time and travel costs, reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions; and (v) ensure consistency of road standards, including road safety and climate resilience.
The project involves renovating and upgrading two national highways and two provincial roads approximately 199 kilometers (km) long that will connect a number of towns/districts in Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces with Noi Bai - Laos . Cai Expressway. The project includes 2 routes, including route 1, which connects Lai Chau with Noi Bai - Lao Cai highway. The road is designed with a scale of level III in mountainous areas according to TCVN 4054: 2015 standards, design speed Vtk = 60km/h; The section passing Khau Co pass and Khe Lech pass is designed with the scale of a grade IV mountain road according to TCVN 4054: 2015 standards, design speed Vtk = 40km/h. The section through Hoang Lien - Van Ban Nature Reserve (Km52 + 000 - Km63 + 444.68) is designed with a scale of level V mountainous area, according to Decision No. 2276/QD-BTNMT of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. July 18, 2018. The entire route length is L = 146.6 km. The second road is the road connecting Nghia Lo with Noi Bai - Lao Cai highway. The road is designed with a scale of level IV in mountainous areas, in accordance with TCVN 4054: 2015, design speed Vtk = 40km/h. The entire route length is L = 52.73 km.
The project supports the government in implementing Vietnam's national transportation strategy to provide efficient and safe transportation services to international and domestic markets, tourist destinations and social service facilities; All project routes are included in the national transportation strategy.

HIV/AIDS and Trafficking Awareness Program (HHTAP)
The Northern Mountainous Provinces Traffic Connection Project (NMPTCP) is located in the Northwest region of Vietnam, stretching through the mountainous highlands and remote districts and is home to many people. minorities. The Northwest region has the third highest rate of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases in Vietnam. Due to its remote geographical location, limited economic conditions, and close proximity to the borders of China and Laos, human trafficking, especially of women and children, is common. Therefore, these issues were identified as potential social risks to Project-affected communities during the screening and preparation of the Project.
As part of the Documentation and Detailed Design for the NMPTCP, an assessment was conducted to determine the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and STIs as well as the incidence of human trafficking in the Project area in the provinces of Lai Chau, Yen Bai and Lao Cai. HIV/AIDS infection rates are higher in ethnic minority groups than in the general population, suggesting that pre-existing potential risks make people more vulnerable to negative impacts. potential of transportation projects. All three provinces have high proportions of ethnic minorities, which are also populations that are more vulnerable to chronic diseases and human trafficking. Lack of awareness among vulnerable groups, especially ethnic minorities and the poor, about the risks of human trafficking, especially women and children, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases other sexuality was recognized as a problem. In general, because they have limited awareness, they do not have appropriate preventive measures.
Therefore, there is a need to increase local community awareness of safe practices that help mitigate the increased risk of HIV/AIDS, STIs, and human trafficking that may be associated with the construction and operation of NMPTCP. The HIV/AIDS and Human Trafficking Awareness Program (HHTAP) takes into account stakeholder comments, feedback and suggestions gathered through socialization of the concept to minimize the risks . The concept of HHTAP was socialized with relevant local authorities in Lai Chau on March 18, 2021; in Lao Cai on March 23, 2021 and in Yen Bai on March 25, 2021, and stakeholders provided further feedback on the draft HHTAP document.
HHTAP aims to raise awareness and increase understanding among target audiences of the risks and dangers of HIV/AIDS, STIs and human trafficking to minimize the potential impact of the Project and ultimately Reduce disease incidence in the Project area. HHTAP will be implemented over 16 months, during construction, to attract approximately 68,000 people from key target groups in the project area. HHTAP will be funded under a grant provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Aus4Transport Project.
HHTAP is prepared for the Project Owner, Ministry of Transport (MOT) through Project Management Board No. 2 (QLDA2) and will be implemented by the CEHS-MARKDC Joint Venture with the support of relevant parties, local government and Aus4Transport.

Program execution time
The Program implementation period is within 16 months, from March 1, 2023 to the end of June 2024.

Program implementation unit
Joint venture between the Center for Environment and Health Studies(CEHS) and Market Research and Community Development Company Limited (MARKDC)

Partners and stakeholders
The program will cooperate and exchange with a number of stakeholders. Key stakeholders who will benefit from program activities and the outcomes of program interventions include target groups and local communities where construction and reconstruction activities will take place. settlement carried out. According to TOR, HHTAP's coverage area is estimated to be 7 districts, 32 communes of 3 provinces (Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Yen Bai); of which, the program aims to attract approximately 68,000 people from key target groups in the project area.
Important stakeholders at the national level are Aus4Transport, the program management contractor (referred to as PMC) and Project Management Board2 of the Ministry of Transport. The program will also work with key stakeholders at the provincial level, including the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention under the Provincial M&A Center, the Provincial Women's Union and relevant departments and organizations of Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Yen. Bai.
At the district level, the HHTAP Implementation Committee will be the District Program Implementation Committee consisting of representatives from the district Health Center; District Women's Union; Youth Group; Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs; Education and training room; District police.
At the community level, the Program will have the participation of commune People's Committee officials, medical staff, women's union officials, police, village heads, border guards, entertainment facility owners, and other groups. high-risk populations and communities near construction camps.
A key feature of the Program approach is to develop multi-sectoral linkages between stakeholders to better coordinate and sustain program activities including health outreach and police coordination and monitoring campaigns to prevent human trafficking in the community. Table 1 below details and groups the Program Stakeholders.

Aims and objectives
The purpose of HHTAP is to raise awareness among the workforce involved in road construction and their families, local communities, and target groups at high risk of HIV/AIDS infection prevention. AIDS, STIs, and trafficking. The expected impacts of HHTAP are:
Impact 1: Reduce high-risk behaviors for transmitting HIV/AIDS/STIs among target groups in the project area.
Impact 2: Reduce vulnerability to human trafficking in target groups and communities in the project area.
Impact 3: Reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS/STIs.