The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated nearly US$2 million to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to assist vulnerable and disaster-prone communities in the country.
This comes as over 300 000 migrant Zimbabweans have returned home due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a press statement on Wednesday, USAID said the funds are for psychosocial support and income-generating activities that will reintegrate and build resilience for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees in Masvingo, Manicaland, and Matabeleland South provinces.
“The US Agency for International Development is providing US$1 993 499 to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) toward multi-sectoral assistance and livelihood support for vulnerable and disaster-prone communities in Zimbabwe from now to November 2022,” reads the statement.
“This support is in addition to the USAID-supported project in Manicaland already providing transitional shelter and Camp Co-ordination and Camp Management assistance for Cyclone Idai survivors.”
According to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) baseline assessments from February 2021, approximately 152 000 people in Zimbabwe were affected by protracted crises, including drought, food insecurity, limited employment opportunities and the socio-economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Over 300 000 Zimbabweans have returned to the country due to the pandemic,” said USAID.
“Insufficient solutions and resources have resulted in long-term displacements and reinforced the need for the additional emergency response to address basic household needs.”
The project will support 3 600 vulnerable households (15 480 individuals) including IDPs, returnees, and host communities.
It will also address protection challenges by strengthening the dissemination of information, counselling, and referral services (ICRS) that will provide socio-economic revitalisation assistance through income-generating activities.
Furthermore, 285 000 individuals will receive early warning and disaster risk information for their areas that help them make informed decisions and plan how they can reduce the impact of impending disasters.
