Over 250 000 Zimbabweans Deported Due To COVID-19

A total of 259 699 Zimbabweans have so far been deported or lost their jobs due to the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic.

This was revealed by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in a statement that was issued Sunday. IOM spokesperson Fadzayi Nyamande Pangeti said:

_In May, there were approximately 22 764 observed entries at the key points of entry._

_IOM supported the convening of a migration cross-border coordination meeting between Zimbabwean and Zambian local and national border management stakeholders._

_IOM distributed gazebos, tables and chairs, sanitisers, liquid handwashing soap, and thermometers in Beitbridge and handed over a 5 000-litre water tank, which was installed at Mashavira Bulk Market._

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IOM further reported that approximately 22 764 observed entries were recorded in May and most of them were destined for Beitbridge (31%), Harare (23%), Hurungwe (21%), Chipinge (7%) and Masvingo (6%).

Millions of Zimbabweans live in the diaspora after fleeing the biting economy in the Southern African country.

Their deportation translates to deterioration in living standards for many families as the ones being deported are the breadwinners in their families.

The deportations and loss of employment also mean a great loss to Zimbabwe as the diaspora community’s remittances contributed much to the national revenue.

The governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), Dr John Mangudya, this year said International Diaspora or Diaspora remittances earned US$1 002.10 billion for the year 2020.

That is a huge figure considering that Export Proceeds earned US$3 696.30 billion in the period under review.

More: Pindula News; NewsDay