Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare
Herald Correspondent
THE International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is mobilising an additional US$400 000 to strengthen Zimbabwe’s response to citizens returning from South Africa, as authorities intensify efforts to support those affected by xenophobia and undocumented migration.
The announcement was made by IFRC secretary general Mr Jagan Chapagain after meeting Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe in Harare on Friday, shortly after paying a courtesy call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mr Chapagain is on an official visit to Zimbabwe, during which he is meeting several Cabinet Ministers whose portfolios are linked to humanitarian response, disaster risk management, health and community resilience, as the global humanitarian organisation seeks to deepen its partnership with the Government.
The proposed funding comes on top of the US$264 000 that the IFRC recently availed through the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society to support the repatriation and reintegration of returning Zimbabweans.
Minister Garwe said the latest support had strengthened Government’s efforts to receive returnees in a dignified and orderly manner.
“Currently, Zimbabwe Red Cross Society is fully deployed at the Beitbridge Border Post and other reception centres, supporting the repatriation of Zimbabweans from the Republic of South Africa,” he said.
“We are working very closely and well coordinated, and we fully appreciate what our partners are doing, including the Red Cross.”
He said Government was grateful for the recently released US$264 000, which would help transport returnees from reception centres to their final destinations while supporting reintegration programmes.
“The US$264 000 that we received a fortnight ago will go a long way in ensuring that returnees reach their final destinations,” said Minister Garwe.
“It is not only supporting transport, but other programmes and projects that we need to ensure they are reintegrated into communities without any hassles.”
Mr Chapagain said the IFRC was already working to secure additional resources to reinforce the ongoing operation.
He said: “We are currently working on an additional US$400 000 to support the Zimbabwe Red Cross so they can complement your efforts in that field.”
“We will continue to look for opportunities to bring additional resources for this very important work.”
Mr Chapagain said the IFRC had also shifted its global migration strategy towards addressing the root causes of migration through investments in livelihoods and job creation.
He said the organisation was encouraging development partners to channel more resources into communities before migration occurred rather than spending billions of dollars responding after people had already been displaced.
“If we spend even 20 per cent of that money before on job creation and livelihood creation in the communities where migrants actually come from, I believe we can reduce the migration pressure,” he said.
Mr Chapagain said the IFRC would continue working through the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society and the Government of Zimbabwe to strengthen humanitarian assistance, disaster preparedness, resilience and long-term development interventions for vulnerable communities during the remainder of his visit and beyond.
