Zimbabwe — COVID-19 Return Intention Survey (November-December 2020)
Contact
dtmzimbabwe@iom.int
Language
English
Location
Zimbabwe
Period Covered
Nov 18 2020
Dec 22 2020
Activity
- Survey
Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought a global negative impact to the economies, heath systems, and societies. Global migration is no exception to this negative effect of COVID-19, as the world witnessed various mobility re-strictions, such as closure of borders and lockdowns. The Government of Zimbabwe also imposed a national lockdown in order to contain the potential transmission of COVID-19. Many migrants from all over the world were returning to Zimbabwe. As of 3 November 2020, IOM estimated more than 25,655 returnees have come back to Zimbabwe in the time of COVID-19. IOM also predicted that the number of returnees will exceed 30,000 before year-end. The current readily available information about these returnees is highly quantitative about their country of departure, and in some instances, their intended destinations. However, the new COVID-19 pandemic shaped new migration trends and intentions of migrants, the push and pull factors influencing their movement, the effect of their immediate and long-term needs, and their intentions upon arrival. To address the problems stated above, IOM conducted a return intention survey with individual returnees and focus group discussions with key informants from host communities in 15 districts.