A joint funded study has revealed that most vulnerable children migrating to Zambia originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This study was funded by the European Union and commissioned by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
According to the statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by the UNHCR, the majority of the children intend to settle in Zambia while the remainder travel with their parents without knowing where to settle.
The UNHCR states that the survey showed most of the migrants enter Zambia through the Northern and North-western boarders which include Mpulungu, Kaputa, Mporokoso, Kasumbalesa, Nakonde and Mwinilunga.
Furthermore the report, which was unveiled recently, shows that most irregular migrants particularly those for DRC usually board a ship heading to Mpulungu or sometimes go to Tanzania.
“Most migrant children are accompanied, with only 2.3 percent unaccompanied” reveals the report.
The study conducted under a joint programme called “Thematic programme on migration and asylum”, is aimed at giving support to the Zambian government to mitigate the vulnerability and increase protection of children at risk of trafficking and exploitation due to migration.
The study is also aimed at providing recommendations to enhance registration, assessment, referral and provision of protective services and support required for upgrading of immigration systems for data collection and management in border areas.
The report was conducted at selected entry points and migrant host communities such as Nakonde, Kasumbalesa, Mwami and Chirundu.
Four migrant hosting communities in Lusaka and the refugee host communities were also assessed.
