BY SILAS NKALA
ZIMBABWE has to date received 259 699 returnee migrants after they were deported or lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was revealed by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in a statement yesterday.
“In May, there were approximately 22 764 observed entries at the key points of entry,” said IOM spokesperson Fadzayi Nyamande Pangeti.
“IOM supported the convening of a migration cross-border co-ordination meeting between Zimbabwean and Zambian local and national border management stakeholders.
“IOM distributed gazebos, tables and chairs, sanitisers, liquid hand washing soap, and thermometers in Beitbridge and handed over a 5 000-litre water tank, which was installed at Mashavira Bulk Market.”
The organisation said it also scaled up co-ordinated protection, promotion, and enforcement of human rights in the country.
“Under the referral pathway system of the human rights project, IOM and partners assisted 7 947 individuals with emergency assistance in the form of advocacy and appeal, legal representation and mental health, psychosocial and medical support,” IOM said.
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“In May, there were approximately 22 764 observed entries. The five main destination districts were Beitbridge (31%), Harare (23%), Hurungwe (21%), Chipinge (7%) and Masvingo (6%). IOM provided psychosocial support to 540 individuals.”
They said they also partnered with the Primary and Secondary Education ministry and the International Institute for Development Facilitation to conduct in-depth investigations in Nyanga on the rise in early marriages and school dropouts in the district.
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