IOM has recently launched a project to enhance support for
vulnerable Zimbabwean migrants and communities affected by mass
displacement.

The project anticipates the potential return of large numbers of
Zimbabweans in the diaspora in South Africa, including forced
returns of undocumented migrants, following the recent announcement
by the Government of South Africa of a regularization campaign for
Zimbabweans in that country. Under the new regulations, only
migrants with a valid Zimbabwean passport who are studying,
working, or owners of businesses, are eligible to apply for a
residency permit.

Since 2000, Zimbabwe has experienced increasing levels of
internal and external migration – including the large scale
exodus of Zimbabwean professionals to countries in the region and
abroad – as a result of the changing socio-economic
situation.  The exact number of Zimbabweans in South Africa is
unknown but is estimated to be between 1 and 1.5 million.

The IOM project will improve coordination of services addressing
mass displacement and returns, by establishing a centralized
information management system and providing a forum for the
exchange and dissemination of information. IOM will also assist in
implementing an early warning system for new displacements and
strengthening inter-agency contingency planning for the anticipated
mass return of Zimbabweans from South Africa.

 As part of the initiative, funded by the European
Commission for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), a gap
analysis is being conducted in close coordination with the UN
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA),
mapping the capacity of different agencies to provide assistance to
displaced Zimbabwean migrants.

Since 2003, IOM has taken a lead role in responding to the
humanitarian assistance needs of Zimbabwean migrants and IDPs with
service centres at the key border posts of Beitbridge
(Zimbabwe/South Africa) and Plumtree (Zimbabwe/Botswana). The
ECHO-funded project will support ongoing IOM work with governmental
and non-governmental partners to ensure access and assistance to
IDPs, returned migrants as well as affected communities.

For more information, please contact:

Yukiko Kumashiro

IOM Harare

Tel: + 263 4 333 454

E-mail: "mailto:ykumashiro@iom.int">ykumashiro@iom.int