IOM’s second youth information centre, known as a Safe Zone,
opens today in the south-western city of Bulawayo.

The aim of the centre is to provide young
people, including deportees who have returned home, with the
information they need to make the right choices for a safer
future.

With recreation, sport, education and
income-generation activities, the Safe Zone is a place where young
people can enjoy themselves and gather information through daily
education sessions on safe migration, responsible sexual practices
and HIV and gender based violence prevention.

Because of its proximity to Botswana and South
Africa, Bulawayo is a high sending area for “border
jumpers”, people who decide to cross borders illegally, and
for potential victims of human trafficking.

“The dangers of irregular migration and
the exploitation and abuse of undocumented migrants in host
countries are of great concern to IOM,” says Marcelo Pisani,
IOM’s Chief of Mission in Zimbabwe. “Safe Zones offer a
unique opportunity to educate the young and vulnerable to the
dangers of irregular migration and HIV and AIDS. This effort can be
sustained through peer to peer education.”

The first Safe Zone opened in Chiredzi in May
2007. The Safe Zone programme is part of IOM's Safe Journey
nationwide information campaign currently focusing on Zimbabwean
youth ages 15-24. It is funded by the United Kingdom’s
Department for International Development, with ongoing support from
the Government of Zimbabwe, including the provision of the centre
facilities by the Bulawayo City Council.

For further information please contact:

Erin Foster

IOM Zimbabwe

Tel +263 4 335048

E-mail "mailto:efoster@iom.int" target="" title="">efoster@iom.int