Dar es Salaam. The government has said there is a rise in irregular migration of children from mainland Tanzania to Zanzibar, primarily driven by poverty and mistreatment.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Ms Abeida Rashid, made this statement during the National Dialogue on Addressing Irregular Migration and Enhancing the Protection of Vulnerable Migrants in Tanzania.
She said that last year, 66 children were discovered on the streets after arriving through illegal routes from the mainland to Zanzibar.
“From January to this month we found 19 who have been taken to safe houses where they receive necessary training to support themselves,” she said.
Rashid emphasised ongoing efforts to provide protection and assistance services to migrant children, underscoring the challenges faced by social welfare and immigration officers in handling cases of irregular migration among children and adults alike.
“The government remains steadfast in ensuring their protection despite the challenges, with safe houses playing a crucial role in delivering essential protection services and setting a precedent for addressing the needs of vulnerable migrants.”
“This national dialogue exemplifies our commitment to fostering platforms where stakeholders and government bodies can collaboratively address critical migration issues,” she added.
“Migration is a global phenomenon that impacts us all,” Rashid said, adding that Tanzanians seek opportunities abroad, while Tanzania also hosts migrants from around the world.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safe, orderly, and dignified migration, as reflected in policies designed to protect migrants, especially those in vulnerable situations.
She highlighted collaborative efforts with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar in operationalizing safe houses for trafficking victims.
Addressing irregular migration and enhancing protection for vulnerable migrants is a shared responsibility, stressed Rashid, emphasising ongoing awareness campaigns in Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania to educate communities about the risks associated with irregular migration.
The Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Tanzania, Shabnam Mallick, underscored migration’s global impact on societies and economies. He cited UN statistics showing 281 million international migrants, or 3.6 percent of the global population, emphasising both opportunities and challenges for those in vulnerable situations.
Mallick pledged the UN’s resources and support to help unravel migration complexities in Tanzania, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) principles to ensure no one is left behind.
“Migrants contribute to multiple SDGs, including reducing inequalities, promoting decent work and economic growth, and strengthening institutions,” he noted, advocating collaborative efforts to generate actionable recommendations for effective migration management and protection of vulnerable migrants in Tanzania.
“Women constitute 48 percent of the global migrant population, with approximately 36 million child migrants worldwide,” he said.
He stressed Africa’s role as host to 25.4 million international migrants, with significant intercontinental migration.
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Tanzania: Exim to Raise Fund for Mental Health Facilities Upgrades
EXIM Bank to raise 300m/- over the next three years for financing essential services and infrastructure upgrades in mental health facilities.
The bank’s Head of Marketing and Communications Stanley Kafu unveiled this when introducing Exim Bima Festival 2024 as a platform for bringing together individuals, organisations and various sectors for raising the funds.
“Exim’s initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, including mental health services,” he said.
The initiative, which is one of the events for celebrating the bank’s 27th anniversary is scheduled for Wednesday this week in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Kafu highlights that this year’s festival is not only about raising awareness of the importance of insurance in the society but also focuses on enhancing access to mental health services and improving the overall well-being of the nation.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health shows a staggering 82 per cent increase in mental health cases over the past decade.
Mental cases have risen from 386,358 in 2012 to 2,102,726 in 2021, making the need for mental health services more urgent than ever.
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Unfortunately, the country’s ability to address this growing challenge is hindered by a shortage of mental health professionals, infrastructure, medical equipment and essential medication.
For example, out of the 28 regions in the country, only five have facilities that provide adequate mental health services.
The most affected group is the youth aged 15 to 39, who represent the nation’s workforce, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to safeguard this generation for Tanzania’s future well-being and development.
Mr Kafu said by improving mental health services, Exim aims to contribute to the creation of a network of communities that can access care quickly and affordably.
Exim Insurance Department Manager Tike Mwakyoma said they are appreciating the support from partners in the insurance industry, who have stood by them since the last festival.
“Let’s continue this unity for the development of all Tanzanians and our nation as a whole,” the manager said.
Source: allafrica.com
