EU gives EURO 1 million for migration

Bulawayo (New Ziana) – The European Union has released EUR 1 million to help enhance migration management and preparedness at some of Zimbabwe`s busiest borders.

The project, which is being implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) over a period of 24 months, seeks to strengthen IOM`s Flow Monitoring (FM) activities at borders, within border communities, and in areas where migrants congregate at different stages of their migration journeys.

The project starts this month, is expected to benefit up to 15 000 Zimbabwean returnees from neighbouring countries, especially South Africa.

“The project will endeavour to ensure that primary health care initiatives respond to the unique needs of the migrants, and promote the provision of equitable, access, and appropriate health services to all,” said IOM in a statement.

The organisation said the project will be implemented in Beitbridge, Masvingo, Bulawayo and Hurungwe and Harare.

“It will provide solutions to promote the health of urban citizens as well as mobile and migrant populations through raising awareness of the migration dimension of emergencies,” IOM said.

It added: “The project will also strengthen the capacity of government to respond rapidly to crises, promote the inclusion of migrants in public health plans, strengthen surveillance at PoEs and community level and provide technical, logistical, and material support to improve capacities to better coordinate the preparedness and response to public health events, especially as they relate to migrants and other mobile populations.”

New Ziana