The visiting International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Director General, Amy Pope, said that countries should establish more safe and regular pathways for migration, as this is beneficial for both migrants and their countries of origin and destination.
Pope, who is on a three-day working visit to Zimbabwe, made these remarks while addressing guests at a government-hosted cocktail event at the Rainbow Hotel on Monday. She said:
<blockquote>
We also can do it by creating more safe and regular pathways for people to migrate, because we know when people migrate, when they migrate safely, when they migrate with dignity when they’re paid a fair wage when their labour rights are protected wherever they work, it is not just a win for that person. It’s a win for the country she comes from here in Zimbabwe.
It’s a win for the country that she goes to. So when we talk about migration, we talk not just about protecting the world’s most vulnerable. Sure, that’s what we do as well.
</blockquote>
Pope said she had fruitful discussions on strategizing a wide range of issues, including facilitating the movement of people to create more opportunities for them wherever they might be. She said:
<blockquote>
We also spoke about the impact of climate change, which we know is going to displace more and more people moving forward.
You may not realize it, but last year, more people were newly displaced because of climate change, not because of conflict. Now, the good news is that it means we can take action now.
We can take action to build resilience in the people of Zimbabwe, who today rely heavily on rainfall agriculture, and work with them to build the skills for the future, work with them to develop new ways of farming or new ways of building livelihoods.
We’re gonna do that with our partners within the UN family, but we also talked about how to harness the power, the catalyzing power, the sustainable development that is inherent when people move.
</blockquote>
Pope’s discussions with government officials included Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister July Moyo, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe (represented by his deputy Chido Sanyatwe), among others.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The IOM Director General, Amy Pope, visited Zimbabwe and urged the country to create safer routes for migration. She said this would benefit both migrants and the countries they come from and go to. Pope discussed the importance of creating opportunities and building resilience for people affected by climate change. She also talked about the positive impact of migration on sustainable development. She met with government officials to strategize on these issues. By creating safe migration routes, countries can help people move safely and with dignity, leading to wins for everyone involved.

IOM Chief Urges Zimbabwe To Create Safer Migration Routes

The UK government has announced that individuals intending to travel to the country from Zimbabwe for more than 6 months need to undergo tuberculosis (TB) testing.
The test must be carried out by a <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Home Office</a>-approved clinic, and an International Organisation for Migration (<a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">IOM) medical</a> certificate confirming the individual is free from TB must be obtained.
<div class="address">
<div class="adr org fn">
<blockquote>
Harare Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC) 
10 Duthie Road, Alexandra Park 
Harare
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<blockquote>
Telephone:
<ul>
<li>+263 086 8800 7618</li>
<li>+263 086 7700 9828</li>
</ul>
Mobile: +263 772 125 094
Email: <a class="govuk-link" href="mailto:HarareMHAC@iom.int">hararemhac@iom.int</a>
</blockquote>
To book a tuberculosis (TB) test appointment, individuals can visit the <a class="govuk-link" href="http://register-uktb.iom.int/uktbdp-register/login.jsp" rel="external">IOM website</a> and complete the online booking process. If a “NULL” message is received, the appointment is invalid, and the booking process must be repeated. For children under the age of 10, a copy of their passport must be emailed to the provided address to book their appointment. Operating hours are from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8 am to 1:30 pm on Friday, with closure on <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">national holidays</a>.
The UK government said it will not accept a <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">TB test</a> certificate from an unapproved clinic. However, a <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">TB test certificate</a> is not required for <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">diplomatic passport holders</a> travelling on official business, those who qualify for an exempt visa, or those applying for a certificate of entitlement.
<h3 id="attending-the-clinic">Attending the clinic</h3>
To book a tuberculosis (TB) test appointment, individuals should contact the clinic and specify that the test is required for a UK visa application. Appointments can typically be scheduled within a few days, but during <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">peak season</a>, such as the UK student visa season from July to October, <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">wait times</a> may be up to 10 days. The <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-tb-screening-for-the-uk-leaflet">test for TB</a> involves a chest x-ray, and if the result is unclear, a <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">sputum sample</a> may also be requested. Upon receiving a <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">negative test result</a>, a certificate will be issued, which is valid for 6 months from the date of the x-ray. This certificate should be submitted with the <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">UK visa application</a>.
<h3 id="what-you-should-bring-with-you">What you should bring with you</h3>
To undergo a tuberculosis (TB) test, individuals must provide proof of identification that includes a photograph, such as a passport, and two passport-sized photographs. <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Refugee applicants</a> must provide UNHCR/MHA registration documents. If individuals have had TB in the past or have any other <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">lung disease</a>, they should provide details of previous screenings, <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">medical notes</a>, and x-ray results if possible.
<h3 id="test-fees">Test fees</h3>
Individuals must pay the clinic directly for the cost of TB testing, which is separate from the visa application fee. The fee for the TB test is 165 USD for individuals aged 11 years and above, and 75 USD for those under 11 years of age. For further information, please contact the clinic. It is important to note that the test fee does not cover the cost of any necessary treatment if an individual is diagnosed with TB.
<h3 id="payment">Payment</h3>
Payment must be made in the name of the visa applicant before the examination in US dollars (USD) in cash or bank transfer to:
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<div class="adr org fn">
Bank name: Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Limited 
Account name: International Organization for Migration (IOM) 
Account number: 9140006530167 (USD) 
Branch: Minerva
</div>
</div>
<h3 id="step-by-step-procedures">Step-by-step procedures</h3>
The medical examination for visa applicants will take place from Monday to Friday, except on public holidays and UN-recognized international holidays. Applicants must present themselves to the clinic with the required identification documents. The initial examination involves a counselling session and consent signing for all applicants. Applicants below 11 years of age will undergo a medical examination by a physician, and those 11 years and above will have a chest x-ray before being reviewed by a doctor. Additional sputum cultures may be required in case of abnormal X-ray findings. A TB clearance certificate is valid for 6 months. If applicants fail to return within 7 days for sputum collection, they will not receive a clearance certificate.
Read more information on <a class="govuk-link" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-tb-screening-for-the-uk-leaflet">TB screening requirements</a> for people applying for a UK visa in countries where TB is common.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

TB Testing Mandatory For Long-Term Travel from Zimbabwe To UK

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has pledged to support Zimbabweans in South Africa to return home.
Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans are expected to trek back home in the coming months following the expiry of their special permits knowns as Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEPs).
On Saturday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa held a meeting with IOM director-general Antonio Vitorino.
According to a report in <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/iom-to-assist-sa-returnees">The Sunday Mail</a>, the meeting was held on the sidelines of the ongoing 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit.
In an interview with State media soon after their meeting, Vitorino said:
<blockquote>
I was explaining to the President that the Zimbabwean Government can count on the full support of IOM to deal with the challenges confronting us, particularly the issue of protecting migrants, and guaranteeing those returning home.
We will ensure that they have the necessary incentives to reintegrate into Zimbabwean society and that the Zimbabwean diaspora can contribute to the development of the country.
We have critical issues like providing them with the necessary tools for them to be more productive and reintegrate into society.
Also, the movement of people in the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region is one of the aspects we have considered.
</blockquote>
A government official who attended the meeting revealed that a sub-committee of an inter-ministerial committee is in South Africa to gather information about the needs of Zmbabweans who will be coming back home. Said the official:
<blockquote>
The subcommittee will establish how many Zimbabweans are in South Africa who are coming back, what skills they hold so that they could possibly be deployed in the economy for the good of the country, and what training they might require.
It will be a full package and Government will work closely with IOM to achieve that objective.
</blockquote>

International Organisation For Migration Pledges To Assist SA Returnees

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says it will support at least 33 000 migrants as part of its efforts to provide safe and decent lives to the usually vulnerable returning Zimbabwean nationals.
In a statement, IOM communications officer Fadzai Penny Nyamande-Pangeti said that the project activities will be implemented in coordination and partnership with the government of Zimbabwe. Said Nyamande-Pangeti:
<blockquote>
Activities will also take place at inland mobility corridors including Masvingo, Bulawayo, Chimanimani, Mutasa, Chipinge, Kariba and Karoi where IOM has a presence.
The project will be implemented in coordination and partnership with the government of Zimbabwe, particularly the ministries of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage and Public Service Labour and Social Welfare and other relevant line ministries to meet the basic needs of returned migrants.
</blockquote>
She said IOM will collect information on areas that are in urgent need of help to enable it to come up with an appropriate response. Said Pangeti:
<blockquote>
The information collected will culminate in the production of a Migration Profile for Zimbabwe, a much-needed and up-to-date repository of migration information in collaboration with the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency (ZIMSTAT).
Under this project, IOM will continue to support returnees who have faced adversity during migration with Information Counselling and Referral Services (ICRS) taking into regard the gender, age, and disability dimensions of mental health.
</blockquote>
This comes at a time, the European Commission’s humanitarian arm has offered to fund IOM Zimbabwe for over 12 months.
The funds will be channelled towards strengthening protection services and post-arrival assistance to migrants and Flow Monitoring (FM) activities, border communities, and congregation points through data collection and analysis on migration trends.
More: <a href="https://cite.org.zw/iom-supports-33-000-migrants/">CITE</a>

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