EU pledges 1 million euros for Zim’s borders

Ashley Mujoma

THE European Union (EU) has pledged €1 million to enhance community-based surveillance at Zimbabwe’s busiest borders.

The project is aimed at improving migration management and informing preparedness plans in urban areas in the country.

It will provide solutions to promote the health of urban citizens as well as mobile and migrant populations by raising awareness of the migration dimension of emergencies.

The programme is being Implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Zimbabwe over a 24-month period in Beitbridge, Masvingo, Bulawayo, Hurungwe and Harare.

The community surveillance will involve the collection and analysis of migration data to provide a more comprehensive picture of the demographics, needs and vulnerabilities of migrants.

“This data will inform government and development partners on the actions required to detect, prevent and respond to public health threats that affect migrants in urban areas and to ensure that migrants have access to basic health services.

“IOM will maintain protection assistance through counselling and referral services and will build on existing partnerships to provide government with the necessary technical assistance to craft contingency plans and Standard Operating Procedures at PoEs (points of entry) and along the routes that migrants travel.

“IOM will contribute to strengthening the capacity for effective epidemic preparedness and response to any future disease outbreaks in the country,” reads an IOM statement.

Speaking ahead of the project’s inception, IOM Zimbabwe Chief of Mission, Mario Lito Malanca, acknowledged the EU for its continued partnership with IOM across various projects in the past few years.

“It is heartening that the EU recognises the complex nature of mobility dynamics, particularly as they pertain to health systems.

“This partnership will make a massive contribution to the strengthening of health systems through evidence-based epidemic preparedness and response,” Malanca said.

IOM has over the past two years been working to strengthen capacities of front-line workers at four border posts, Beitbridge, Plumtree, Chirundu and Forbes, to respond adequately to attend to migrant needs, including post-arrival assistance, health and protection.