News / Local
Zimbabwean has highest migrants in southern Africa
18 May 2024 at 05:54hrs | Views
Zimbabwe has been identified as the largest source of migrants residing in southern Africa, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). This was announced during an official event at the Old Memorial Hospital in Bulawayo on Wednesday.
In a speech delivered on behalf of IOM Chief of Mission Dyane Epstein by Migration Health Chief Officer Thomas Kalasani, it was noted that Zimbabwe is experiencing high levels of migration within southern Africa.
"The current global projection estimates approximately 281 million international migrants worldwide, accounting for 3.6% of the global population," Epstein stated. "According to the World Migration Report 2020, Zimbabwe is the largest source of migrants residing in southern Africa. Additionally, in search of economic opportunities, Zimbabweans are migrating to other regions like the Middle East. The Zimbabwean government has intervened to ensure the safe return of its citizens who have fallen victim to human trafficking."
It is estimated that over 3 million documented and undocumented Zimbabweans are living in South Africa, a preferred destination for many African migrants escaping poverty, war, and famine in their home countries. Many other Zimbabweans have sought economic refuge, particularly in the United Kingdom.
Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe emphasized the ministry's efforts to ensure that Zimbabweans living abroad can easily access passports. "We have already started decentralizing passport offices to help migrants obtain national documentation more easily," Kazembe said in a speech read on his behalf by a ministry official. "We have also initiated processes to allow online applications for these vital documents, facilitating ease of business both locally and for our citizens abroad."
Last year, the government pledged to address the immigration crisis in the country, following reports that foreigners were entering Zimbabwe as refugees and then setting up enterprises without adhering to proper procedures.
In a speech delivered on behalf of IOM Chief of Mission Dyane Epstein by Migration Health Chief Officer Thomas Kalasani, it was noted that Zimbabwe is experiencing high levels of migration within southern Africa.
"The current global projection estimates approximately 281 million international migrants worldwide, accounting for 3.6% of the global population," Epstein stated. "According to the World Migration Report 2020, Zimbabwe is the largest source of migrants residing in southern Africa. Additionally, in search of economic opportunities, Zimbabweans are migrating to other regions like the Middle East. The Zimbabwean government has intervened to ensure the safe return of its citizens who have fallen victim to human trafficking."
Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe emphasized the ministry's efforts to ensure that Zimbabweans living abroad can easily access passports. "We have already started decentralizing passport offices to help migrants obtain national documentation more easily," Kazembe said in a speech read on his behalf by a ministry official. "We have also initiated processes to allow online applications for these vital documents, facilitating ease of business both locally and for our citizens abroad."
Last year, the government pledged to address the immigration crisis in the country, following reports that foreigners were entering Zimbabwe as refugees and then setting up enterprises without adhering to proper procedures.
Source - newsday
