The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) launched a project to build and upgrade two shelters for up to 120 unaccompanied minors and 50 women migrants at Musina on Friday.

The R4m project, which is funded by the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme, will target vulnerable, stranded migrants at Musina. It is located about 20 km from the Zimbabwean border. Musina is the main point of entry into South Africa for Zimbabwean migrants.

The Acting Chief of Mission at IOM South Africa, Dr Erick Ventura, and Mayor Carol Phiri of Musina jointly did the sod turning to mark the beginning of the construction of the massive project. Ventura said the project would include the upgrading of the accommodation, living and dining areas, the building of kitchens and installation of water and sanitation. “We will also build security walls and supply furniture, including beds with mosquito nets.”

He said the new accommodation would improve living conditions for women and unaccompanied minors who had previously endured difficult living conditions. “Many of the children have left their families at home or lost contact with them on the journey to the border. Minors are particularly a vulnerable group, because they arrive in a foreign country without their parents. The majority has fled difficult and dramatic living conditions and some have even experienced the loss of family along the way. These children have the right to special protection.”

He said that, for a long time, unaccompanied minors, abused migrant women, and vulnerable migrants had endured humiliating living conditions in Musina. “By improving the shelters and offering return assistance to those in need, we can restore some of their dignity and basic human rights.”

He added that through the project, IOM will also conduct capacity-building workshops for shelter staff on shelter management, case management and programme management in order to address capacity constraints of community-based and faith-based organizations and shelters providing protective assistance to migrants in Musina. “Certain categories of migrants require special protection, including women, children, and people with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, victims of torture, and victims of trafficking.”

Mayor Phiri thanked IOM for bringing the project to Musina and appealed to other humanitarian organizations to follow suit.

In Musina, IOM is running an assisted voluntary return and reintegration (AVRR) programme, aimed at assisting 70 vulnerable Zimbabwean migrants to return home.  Musina Hospital provides pre-departure screening for all AVRR beneficiaries.  Also entitled Ubuntu has no Borders, the project aims to empower South Africans and foreign nationals to embrace diversity and peace.

Apart from providing shelter, the IOM office in Musina also provides protection and family-tracing assistance to stranded migrants and unaccompanied minors. The office is also actively involved in strengthening the local response to address the health and social needs of migrants.