US$10m needed to cater for Covid-19 returnees

AT least US$10 million is needed to address the economic and social needs of more than 200 000 Zimbabweans who returned home since the outbreak of Covid-19 after living in other countries, sometimes for years.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says Covid-19 has negatively affected the lives of millions of people worldwide, highlighting the need to strengthen preparedness and response capacities well into this year.

IOM Zimbabwe chief of mission Mr Mario Lito Malanca said it was critical to cater for the socio-economic needs of returnees to ensure they do not fall deeper into crisis or rely on “negative coping mechanisms”, which can include begging, crime and other harmful activity.

“As we come to grips with the public health impact of Covid-19, we cannot overemphasise its socio-economic impact whose effects we will feel for years to come if we do not empower vulnerable migrants with the means for sustainable livelihoods going forward.

“Since the onset of the Covid-19 in March 2020, approximately 200 000 migrants have returned to Zimbabwe. These migrants have returned to the very communities which led them to look for a better life elsewhere and have no livelihood opportunities to sustain their return and overall socio-economic stability,” said Mr Malanca.

For sustainability, IOM will provide farming inputs targeting nutrition gardens and smallholder farmers and support productive asset creation like conservation farming as well as supporting market links.

The appropriate interventions have been identified through a community-based planning approach to support post-crisis recovery and durable solutions.

IOM Zimbabwe’s planned initiatives seek to provide longer-term support to affected communities by promoting socio-economic reintegration through self-employment, community income projects and livelihood activities to ensure community stabilisation.

“Mental health and psychosocial support services are also a necessary part of this response as affected populations suffer the many negative impacts of the pandemic which include job losses, financial hardship, interrupted education, the loss of loved ones, stigma, and isolation,” he said.

IOM Zimbabwe’s response plan is part of the IOM global strategic preparedness and response plan, which highlights the needs of migrant returnees in the context of the Covid-19, to the tune of US$10 million in several thematic areas of response.

To date, IOM and its partners have assisted the Government through multi-sectoral initiatives focusing on strengthening public health measures at points of entry and along major mobility pathways.

The initiative, which has already started at some border posts, aims to contribute towards the enhanced protection of the health and economic rights of informal cross border traders through the facilitation of continued trade during the pandemic.