IOM's first information centre for young people has opened its
doors in the south western town of Chiredzi.

Located some two hours from the South Africa border, this region
continues to experience high emigration rates with many smuggled
young people falling prey to human traffickers and to HIV/AIDS.

"Young people are particularly exposed to the dangers of
irregular migration, trafficking and HIV/AIDS," says Mohammed
Abdiker, IOM's Chief of Mission in Zimbabwe. "This centre will
empower them to think before they risk their lives jumping
borders."

The Department for International Development (DFID) funded
centre, known as a "safe zone", aims to provide practical
assistance and information to help young people make a safe choice
when they consider emigrating.

With recreation, sport, education and income-generation
activities, the centre is also a place where teenagers can enjoy
themselves and be informed through daily education sessions on safe
migration, responsible sexual practices and HIV prevention.

"If young people are not empowered in ways of prevention, nor
become advocates for behaviour change, then countless more young
lives will be lost," adds Abdiker. "This safe zone centre is a
first step in giving them a platform to learn, to speak, to act and
most importantly, to be heard."

A second DFID-funded centre is scheduled to open in the coming
months in Bulawayo and funds permitting, several more will follow
in other areas with high-emigration rates.

The centres are part of IOM's ongoing Safe Journey nationwide
information campaign which has received the support of the Zimbabwe
government, Zimbabwe's National Family Planning Council and of the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Detention and return are also a reality for many irregular
migrants from Zimbabwe. In just under a year, 130,000 migrants have
been returned from South Africa alone and an additional 38,000 from
Botswana.

For further information, please contact:

Nicola Simmonds

IOM Harare

Mobile +263(0) 912440076

E-mail: "mailto:nsimmonds@iom.int">nsimmonds@iom.int

or go to: "http://www.safemigrationzimbabwe.com/about_iom.html" target=
"_blank" title=
"">http://www.safemigrationzimbabwe.com/about_iom.html