Humanitarian organization Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) is scheduled to formally announce a US$ 1.5 million funding to help returned migrant Zimbabweans to resettle.
This was confirmed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) office in Zimbabwe, through whom the funding will be channeled.
The funds will meet the needs of mobile and vulnerable populations (MVPs) and returned migrants in Zimbabwe.
“The SIDA funding was provided as a response to the Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) for 2010. It will contribute to IOM’s two key areas of intervention, comprehensive approach to humanitarian emergency assistance and early recovery and livelihoods for mobile and other vulnerable populations affected by displacement causes,” said IOM Zimbabwe’s Chief of Mission Marcelo Pisani.
With their expanded resources, the IOM will be able to disseminate information to returned migrants and mobile populations through appropriate and feasible means.
SIDA was also hailed for its consistent support to IOM Zimbabwe.
Since the year 2000, Zimbabwe has consistently experienced increasing levels of internal and external migration due to its socio-economic situation.
This situation has negatively affected the Zimbabwean population, through lack of access to basic services and trauma. Consequently, the numbers of MVPs has swollen greatly.
There has also been a massive exodus of Zimbabwean professionals to countries in the region and abroad.
SIDA’s funding comes at a critical time for the IOM as it will allow them to provide comprehensive emergency assistance on protection, basic health services, HIV and AIDS and sexual and gender based violence.
Early recovery and livelihood activities will assist the integration of MVPs into mainstream society.
The latest report of the United Nations Development Programme has urged countries to review their migrant policies so as to cater for evolutionary changes and ultimately ensure that migration benefits both destination countries and countries of origin.
