Theseus Shambare
The director-general of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Ms Amy Pope, has called for urgent global action to address growing climate-induced migration.
In an interview with the media on Tuesday, Ms Pope said she met with President Mnangagwa and other Government officials to discuss the country’s migration challenges and opportunities.
“Climate is driving people to move more than any other factor. Last year, more people were displaced by the impacts of climate change than by conflict, which is an extraordinary fact,” said Ms Pope.
She said Zimbabwe, as a country heavily reliant on agriculture, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
“Migration is a natural adaptation mechanism. If we want to help support people who are not yet displaced to enable them to have more opportunities to stay at home, working with the Government and its partners is critical to achieving that resilience,” said Ms Pope.
The director-general also highlighted the need for increased financial resources to address climate-induced migration.
“We have been advocating for those resources to make sure that mobility is included in the Loss and Damage Fund to ensure that the people who need resources get them,” she said.
The Loss and Damage Fund was established to help vulnerable countries cope with the impact of climate change.
Ms Pope’s visit to Zimbabwe is the first of its nature by an IOM director-general in the 73-year history of the organisation.
