A donation of 20 million Swedish Kronor (USD 3.3 million) from the
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) for
five IOM programmes in Zimbabwe focusing on the provision of
humanitarian assistance to returning migrants and mobile
populations will make a significant difference in reaching
vulnerable groups.

The funding, which is part of an allocation of more than USD 7.3
million (SEK 44.5 million) to the United Nations' Consolidated
Appeal for Zimbabwe for USD 316 million for 2008, will support
IOM's work in providing assistance to returned Zimbabwean migrants
at the country's borders with South Africa and Botswana; in
facilitating the temporary and safe migration of farm workers to
Limpopo province; in providing relief, reintegration and community
health assistance to mobile and vulnerable populations, as well as
semi-permanent shelters and livelihood enhancement to these
groups.

The humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe continues to be impacted
by complex, overlapping and often worsening economic and social
factors. 

The contribution will further strengthen Sweden's ongoing
support to IOM humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe. Announcing the
new funding, Sweden's Ambassador to Harare, Sten Rylander, said the
Swedish government was proud to support IOM in its work with the
people of Zimbabwe.

IOM, which has been operating in Zimbabwe since 1985, provides
technical assistance to the Zimbabwean government on migration
management and through its presence on the ground, assists mobile
and vulnerable populations, potential migrants and returning
Zimbabweans. 

To view the UN Consolidated Appeal for Zimbabwe 2008 please
visit "http://www.reliefweb.int">www.reliefweb.int.

For additional information, please contact:

Erin Foster

IOM Harare

Tel: +263 4 335 048

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