A donation to IOM's humanitarian programmes
in Zimbabwe by the Swedish government will go a long way in
providing much needed assistance to mobile and vulnerable
populations this year.

The donation of $US 1.9 million for 2006
through Sweden's development agency (SIDA), makes the Scandinavian
country the largest donor to IOM's work in Zimbabwe, having
provided more than $US 5.7 million over the past three years.

IOM, which has taken the lead in providing
humanitarian assistance to displaced populations in the country,
has helped nearly 455,000 people since 2003. Assistance has been
through food and non-food items, livelihood support, water and
sanitation, transportation and shelter. In addition, HIV/AIDS
activities have been mainstreamed within these programmes.

SIDA's donation will primarily be used to
provide assistance to mobile populations and Zimbabwean migrants
deported from South Africa at the border town of Beitbridge as well
as on work to minimize HIV risks and gender-based violence during
emergencies.

"2005 was a year of real success for IOM in
reaching more and more Zimbabweans. But the needs have not
dissipated and these crucial funds allow us to continue and expand
our work. I am sincerely grateful to the Swedish government for
this support, as I am sure are the Zimbabweans who will receive
it," said IOM chief of mission in Harare, Mohammed Abdiker, during
a ceremony attended by Goran Engstrand, Minister for Development
Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in the Zimbabwean capital.

For further information, please contact:

Nicola Simmonds

IOM Harare

Tel: +263 433 5044/48

E-mail: "mailto:nsimmonds@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">nsimmonds@iom.int