Zimbabwe — Flow Monitoring Report (August 2024)

Key Highlights

• The total number of movements observed in August rose by four per cent when compared to July. Movements between Zimbabwe and South Africa saw a four per cent increase, while those between Zimbabwe and Zambia grew by three per cent. Most of the migrants interviewed (91%) were Zimbabwean nationals, four per cent were Zambians, and two per cent held dual citizenship in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The primary reason for movement for most migrants (25%) remains family reunification.
• 36,550 movements were documented, and 1,255 migrants (51% female and 49% male) were interviewed at 20 Flow Monitoring Points (FMPs) in Zimbabwe
• The leading sending districts were Beitbridge (47%), Harare (11%), and Chiredzi (9%), whereas the main receiving districts were Harare (27%), Beitbridge (15%), and Bulawayo (11%).
• Of the migrants who indicated that they were travelling to access services at their intended destination, 80 per cent were seeking health services. The most sought healthcare services included general medical care (50%) and chronic illness care (23%).
• Notably, 80 per cent of the migrants seeking care for chronic illnesses were female, and 60 per cent of this group fell between the ages of 56 and 65.
• For migrants heading to South Africa, the primary reasons cited for choosing it as their final destination were favourable socio-economic conditions (31%), returning to their current jobs or securing new employment (31%), and reuniting with family members (23%).
• For those residing in Zimbabwe, the main shocks were drought (27%), job/income loss (24%), and health issues (23%). Most Zimbabwean migrants affected by drought resided in Mwenezi district (51%) and Gutu district (9%).