IOM Director General Advocates for Safer Migration...

IOM Director General Advocates for Safer Migration Pathways in Zimbabwe

Zim Now Writer

The International Organisation for Migration Director General, Amy Pope, has called on nations to create safer and more structured migration pathways, emphasising the mutual benefits for migrants, their home countries, and their destinations.

Pope made these remarks during a government-hosted cocktail event at the Rainbow Hotel on Monday as part of her three-day working visit to Zimbabwe.

Speaking to attendees, Pope said: “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.”

Pope highlighted the importance of migration as a tool for sustainable development, encouraging collaboration to ensure better opportunities for migrants while addressing challenges like climate change.
Pope also discussed the increasing impact of climate change, which she said is now displacing more people than conflicts globally. She emphasized the need for immediate action to build resilience within communities reliant on rainfall-dependent agriculture, such as those in Zimbabwe.

“You may not realise 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,” Pope said.
She added that efforts must focus on skill development and innovative farming techniques to ensure sustainable livelihoods in the face of climate-induced displacement.
During her visit, Pope held discussions with Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister July Moyo and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe (represented by his deputy, Chido Sanyatwe), among others. The talks centered on enhancing migration management and fostering opportunities for Zimbabweans through international collaboration.

Pope reiterated the IOM’s commitment to partnering with UN agencies and other stakeholders to support sustainable development and migration resilience in Zimbabwe.