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Mukudzei Chingwere
Herald Reporter
THE International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has commended the trajectory taken by Zimbabwe in providing special assistance to migrants.
Visiting IOM chairperson, Dr Katharina Stasch, who is also Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare, Cde July Moyo, in Harare yesterday.
The IOM is mandated to provide special assistance to migrants and States concerned with migration, helping countries in developing specific services, and searching for practical solutions on all aspects of migration.
The IOM Chair is set to visit Beitbridge and Goromonzi to get a first-hand appreciation of what Zimbabwe is doing on issues to do with migration.
Before leaving Harare, she called on Minister Moyo where she was briefed on policy initiatives.
“I am very honoured to be here in this wonderful country, Zimbabwe and as the Minister has mentioned, I will also be honoured to go to Goromonzi to learn about the community and community based projects,” said Dr Stasch. “I will also go to Beitbridge in order to learn about the challenges and the work with people returning to Zimbabwe”.
She said they also spoke about climate change.
“We had a very good conversation with the Honourable Minister and we also talked about climate change and challenges which come with it. Indeed, this is a very important topic for the future.
“I also learnt about the many aspects of the migration policy of Zimbabwe and again I want to congratulate Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a role model for this. The ambition is to create a situation where there is benefit for all, for those who are leaving the country and for the country they are going to”.
Dr Stasch said regional co-operation was key in tackling migration issues.
“I think it’s very key when we talk about migration that you cooperate very closely with other countries in the region and this is exactly what I understand Zimbabwe is doing in order to create a situation where migration benefits all,” she said.
Minister Moyo said they discussed a range of issues centred on the notion that migration is an important matter for the development of communities and other factors.
“She is visiting Zimbabwe to see for herself the work that is being done by the IOM. We are discussing our cooperation with the IOM,” said Minister Moyo.
“They deal with migration issues and we have gone through the activities the IOM is doing in Zimbabwe. We are also discussing climate change and how it affects migration.
“Our desire is that as SADC continues to integrate under the chairmanship of our President Dr Mnangagwa, we have organised migration so that we eliminate xenophobic attacks and we can protect those who are in the receiving country”.
He said due to its high literacy levels, Zimbabwe has produced skilled people who are in demand in the region and beyond.
“Manpower is something that Zimbabwe prides itself in. Our education system has produced many skilled workers, most of them are working in Zimbabwe and some are abroad and they are in demand,” said Minister Moyo.
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