The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has availed about US$2m to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) towards livelihood support for vulnerable and disaster-prone communities in Zimbabwe.
According to a joint statement by USAid and IOM released on Wednesday, the project funded to the tune of US$1 993 499, will run until November next year.
The project will provide psychosocial support and income-generating activities that will reintegrate and build resilience for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees.
It is also expected to assist host communities in Masvingo, Manicaland and Matabeleland South provinces. IOM said:
This support is in addition to the USAID-supported project in Manicaland already providing transitional shelter and camp coordination and camp management assistance for Cyclone Idai survivors.
The UN agency says over 300 000 Zimbabweans have returned to the country due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
It added that insufficient solutions and resources have resulted in long-term displacements and reinforced the need for an 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.
IOM Zimbabwe Chief of mission Mario Lito Malanca welcomed the support from USAID and said leaving IDPs and migrants in continued deprivation, without the prospect of a durable solution, is a humanitarian concern and also an obstacle to long-term peace, recovery, and reconstruction.
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