Govt, UNICEF, IOM Launch Programme to Protect Unaccompanied Children

The Government of Zimbabwe, in partnership with UNICEF Zimbabwe and International Organization for Migration, is launching a new programme aimed at strengthening protection systems for unaccompanied and separated children.

Announcing the initiative, UNICEF Zimbabwe said

“Govt of Zimbabwe, with IOMZimbabwe & UNICEF, is launching a programme to protect Unaccompanied & Separated Children.”

The programme, supported by the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund Joint Programme, is designed to enhance safety mechanisms for children who travel alone or become separated from their families due to migration, displacement or other vulnerabilities.

UNICEF added that the intervention “will strengthen the safety & protection of children who travel alone.”

According to the partners, the initiative will reinforce identification, referral and case management systems to ensure at-risk children receive appropriate care and protection services. It is also expected to strengthen coordination among government departments, social services and border management authorities.

Unaccompanied and separated children are considered among the most vulnerable groups in migration contexts, facing heightened risks of exploitation, trafficking and abuse. Authorities say the programme will prioritise prevention, family tracing and reunification, psychosocial support and access to essential services.