Government of Zimbabwe, UNICEF and IOM Launch Joint Programme to Strengthen Protection for Unaccompanied and Separated Children

Harare, Zimbabwe, 4th March 2026 - The Government of Zimbabwe, together with UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched today a new programme, Strengthening Protection, Safety, and Wellbeing of Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children in Zimbabwe, aimed at strengthening the protection, safety and well-being of unaccompanied minors and separated children who travel within and across the borders of Zimbabwe.

Funded through the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), the 24-month initiative aims to address the multiple, compounding vulnerabilities that place children’s safety and well-being at severe risk when travelling alone.

“This Multi-Partner Trust Fund initiative directly contributes to our endeavor to reinforce systems that comprehensively protect children and our work is firmly anchored in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which mandates the State to ensure the best interests of children are upheld,” said Honourable Edgar Moyo, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social
Welfare.

Zimbabwe is a country of origin, transit and destination for children who travel on their own. Increasing economic hardship, the impacts of climate change, limited livelihood opportunities, strained social services and the lasting effects of COVID-19 have intensified drivers of unsafe and irregular migration of unaccompanied children.

“Every day, thousands of children are forced to move without the protection and care of their parents or caregivers. When children travel alone, their vulnerability increases dramatically, exposing them to violence, exploitation, trafficking, abuse and even arbitrary detention,” said UNICEF Representative, Ms. Etona Ekole. “No child should face these risks. UNICEF is committed to working with the Government of Zimbabwe, IOM and partners to ensure that every unaccompanied and separated child is protected, supported and given the chance to grow up safely.”

Under this programme, partners will collaborate to address and reduce the vulnerabilities children face during migration. This would be through the provision of comprehensive child protection services at Reception and Support Centres at Chirundu, Beitbridge and Plumtree. The services would include temporary shelter, food, health screening, psychosocial support, education support and child‑friendly spaces.

The programme will also support the refurbishment of Beitbridge and Plumtree Reception and Support Centres to help these centres meet minimum international standards, and support child protection services at Chirundu.

Awareness raising and engagement of transporters and traders would also be important interventions to be done, aimed at reducing child smuggling and exploitation risks.

“A child on the move should not have to choose between danger and indifference. Through this Joint Programme, we are translating regional and global commitments into real protection along migration routes, ensuring that every child, regardless of status, encounters safety, dignity, and opportunity”, says IOM Zimbabwe Chief of Mission Ms. Diana Cartier.

The initiative is firmly aligned with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (2026–2030), the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022–2026), the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), and key Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 1.3 – Implementing social protection systems and SDG 10.7 – Facilitating
safe, orderly and regular migration