POPULATION MOBILITY MAPPING HURUNGWE DISTRICT, CHIRUNDU PoE, NOVEMBER 2020

INTRODUCTION The spread of COVID-19 around the world Saharan Africa’s busiest ports of entries and continues to threaten the full reopening of exits, linking the north and south corridor, with borders and regular migration pathways. As of hundreds of commercial trucks passing through 29 November, the total numbers of cases the border posts every day. Day traders from confirmed in Africa are 1,494,524, including gather in Chirundu to exchange goods 33,512 deaths, with 9,950 cases and 276 deaths such as agricultural products, vegetables, and in Zimbabwe alone. As part of the response to second-hand clothes. The livelihoods of people the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe, the in Chirundu depend on trade in markets and Ministry of Health in collaboration with its cross border trade. technical partners strengthened activities for the preparedness and response of COVID-19. This report presents the findings and results of To support these activities, the International the population mobility mapping (PMM) of Organization for Migration (IOM) is working Zimbabwe’s Northern region in the city of closely with the local government of Zimbabwe, Chirundu in Hurungwe province on 25 and 26 Ministry of Health, and the Immigration November 2020. Department to support the government of Zimbabwe and other key partners with regards to understanding migration flows, as well as to APPROACH respond to the outbreak in a way that is The aim of the Population Mobility Mapping in sensitive to current and emerging migration and Chirundu was to complement the Government mobility realities in multiple regions in of Zimbabwe’s National Preparedness and Zimbabwe. Response plan for COVID-19 by providing the Government, communities, and humanitarian As part of the East Horn African route, partners with information on population Hurungwe district’s Chirundu border post mobility and cross-border movements. More holds a particular significance for a greater broadly, it aimed to enhance prevention, understanding of mobility trends and migration detection, and response to the spread of practices, due to its strategic position of being infectious diseases through an improved the main point of access by road to Zambia understanding of prevailing human mobility which relies heavily on the continued and patterns in Zimbabwe and Chirundu Border uninterrupted transport of freight and persons districts. for a range of essential goods and services. Chirundu is the border post in Zimbabwe on The specific objectives of this exercise were to: the border with Zambia, in Mashonaland West • Identify the points of entry and congregation province. Located on the banks of the Zambezi areas within Hurungwe and at its borders with river, Chirundu is the second busiest border neighboring countries. post in Zimbabwe and is also among sub-

Market in Chirundu © IOM 2021

• Based on estimations on volume of flows and other criteria, provide a list of specific points of entry and congregation areas that are prioritized for public health interventions in times of public health emergency. • Recommend immediate public health interventions for the identified prioritized congregation areas and ports of entry. • Assess the feasibility of implementing Flow Monitoring and Bus station in Chirundu © IOM 2021 recommend locations of Flow Monitoring Points for the purpose of disease surveillance, interventions strengthening health system along mobility mobility. Flow monitoring aims to derive corridors and provide information on cross quantitative estimates of the flow of individuals border mobility trends to support through specific locations and to collect Government’s evidence-based migration policy information about the profiles, intentions and development. needs of the people on the move. The mapping

exercise was based on their understanding of Participatory mapping is a tool that collects the nearby region countries such as Zambia, information from key informants through a DRC and South Africa and local population group discussion. This tool is based on IOM’s movement dynamics in the country. Participants Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) and represented the formal and informal, health and IOM’s past experience in Population Mobility non-health sectors, including local authorities, mapping. Key informants are identified by the community leaders. Government of Zimbabwe and IOM based on their knowledge of the community, population The exercise began with a presentation by the mobility and public health at local, regional and Ministry of Health on the state of the epidemic other levels, and come with a strong and the actions taken in the region. Following multisectoral working knowledge able to an overview of Flow Monitoring (FM), data represent various diverse stakeholders. collection, target areas, and risk of

communication emphasizing transmission of For this exercise, key stakeholders were COVID 19 and other health related issues, key selected from the district and local councilors informants were then encouraged to relate the who oversee the community and are information shared with situations in their daily responsible for day-to-day operations in the lives and contribute their knowledge of their community. Local councilors also assisted in communities by identifying and locating points mapping Points of Entry (PoEs) in Chirundu of entry (PoE), axes of mobility (routes) and which help in tracking irregular and regular points of congregation on maps, to identify migrants. Stakeholders from government also places where travellers could interact with participated in the one-day workshop to ensure other travellers and/or the local community. that Flow Monitoring Points (FMPs) are selected based with their experience in dealing with Among the key points, participants selected migrants and flow of people. Population Mobility priority sites for the implementation of public Mapping (PMM) aims to inform public health health measures and population mobility interventions through the analysis of the patterns and dynamics were then characterized. dynamics and characteristics of population The exercise was followed by an assessment of

prioritized sites in the field with the following Characteristics of population mobility objectives: (migration routes) The contributions from the PME identified 1) Collect GPS coordinates of the sites various mobility routes and patterns in the identified during the exercise to develop the District based on the main places of origin of final map. the population travelling in, within and out of 2) Verify the information collected during the the district. Chirundu is an important transit exercise and make direct observations on point for long distance travelers and trucks, site. daily traders, commerce which include regular 3) Collect any additional information for the and irregular cross border movements introduction of FMPs. connecting people from different countries such as South Africa, Zambia, DRC, Burundi, Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, Swaziland, Somalia, Lesotho, FINDINGS Mozambique and Ethiopia. The findings are based on the contributions of 15 participants from the Zimbabwe Revenue Characteristics of population mobility Authority (ZIMRA), Ministry of Public Service, (migration routes) Labour and Social Welfare, Ministry of Health, The contributions from the PME identified District Development coordinator (DDC), ZRP various mobility routes and patterns in the (Zimbabwe Republic Police) and local District based on the main places of origin of authorities. Congregation points and mobility the population travelling in, within and out of routes which connect Chirundu to other towns the district. Chirundu is an important transit were named during the mapping exercise. Local point for long distance travelers and trucks, congregation points were selected by daily traders, commerce which include regular stakeholders. and irregular cross border movements connecting people from different countries such A total of 5 key points were selected and listed as South Africa, Zambia, DRC, Burundi, Uganda, starting with highest mobility point of interest Malawi, Tanzania, Swaziland, Somalia, Lesotho, to the lowest mobility area. PoE, truck stop, bus Mozambique and Ethiopia. station, marketplace and the shops were the high mobility points selected in Chirundu. Regional Mobility routes Information collected was then confirmed with The first theme identified routes of mobility and the maximum number of field verification visits mobility patterns observed in the Chirundu possible following the participatory mapping district. The information gathered from the key exercise (PME), for the key sites along axes of information during the exercise include the main mobility based on the estimated number of axes of mobility, the characteristics of this travellers and persons congregating. mobility and the main origin and destination of travellers.

Axes of mobility For trucks traveling along this axe, from One main mobility route traversing Chirundu Zimbabwe to South Africa, Mozambique or was identified during the exercise: Botswana, they will stop and congregate for a variety of reasons including rest, sleep, meals Route A1 and for administrative reasons. A truck driver The main route connects Zambia and will take two days to travel from Chirundu all Zimbabwe through the Chirundu official Border the way to South Africa, meaning there are post. This route includes commercial vehicles, many sites for stoppage and congregation along buses and pedestrians travelling to Zimbabwe. those mobility corridors. The immediate town on the Zambia side on this route is also called Chirundu. Separated by the Zambezi river, on the Zimbabwean site, the Points of entry route proceeds to Karoi, , During the second theme of the exercise, the which provides a direct connection between participants identified Chirundu Border Post as Chirundu and southern provinces. Small traders the only official point of entry between and irregular migrants from DRC are the most Zimbabwe and Zambia within Hurungwe common groups using the irregular crossing district. Notwithstanding that, the participants points. highlighted that the city is surrounded by wildlife/safari areas and the Zambezi river along border line between Zambia and Zimbabwe Map 1. Map of Chirundu which limits irregular cross border movements.

Points of interest/congregation The third theme of the PME identified and prioritized points of congregation along the key axes of mobility. A total of 4 main points of congregation were identified: the market, the bus station, the shopping centre and the truck stop which are all located within a 10-kilometer radius from the official point of entry.

Market The market days in Chirundu happens on Shopping center area in Chirundu © IOM 2021 Mondays and Fridays. This market brings a lot of attention from intercity travelling from At Chirundu border post, on normal days, Chinhoyi, Karoi to Chirundu. Farmers travel immigration clears near 1,500 migrants and over from these nearby towns to attend the market 450 commercial truck drivers. These 1,500 days in Chirundu. The market also attracts migrants include day trippers who attend nationals from Zambia called Mandenga from market days on Monday and Friday in Chirundu. towns such as Kafuwe, Chilanga and Chirundu. Immigration clears an average of 500-day On good market days, 1,500 people converge at trippers attending markets days in Chirundu. the market to sell various items such a secondhand clothing, fruits, and vegetables. Furthermore, the participants identified a few However, on average, the market can attract a informal points of entry which are near the total of 500 people both from Zimbabwe and official border. Due to the wildlife present in nearby communities of Zambia. The market is the region, unofficial points of entries are all located less than 1km from the border post located near the official point of entry. It was which is easy to access by foot once the reported that irregular migrants and traders vendors arrive on Zimbabwean soil. There is 1 crossing through the unofficial points of entry, water source and 1 public toilet located at the usually cross the Zambezi river using boats market. The market is found 500 meters away during the night. Most irregular migrant then from the local clinic and shortage of supply wait for the morning bus to catch a ride to facilities was noted as the major challenge towns along the A1 route. Migrants do not during the deliberation with stakeholders, thus travel by foot due to fear dangerous wildlife in posing high risks on contraction and spread of the district. the COVID-19 pandemic.

Table 1: Points of entry Points of entry Name Category Estimated Estimated Details daily traffic daily traffic before during COVID-19 COVID-19 Chirundu Official 1,500 450 • The border post receives mainly Border commercial truck drivers and day Post traders. • Screening and handwashing stations Unofficial Unofficial N/A N/A • Due to the wildlife present in the area crossings and the river separating both lands, near main unofficial crossings by boat mostly PoE happen in the evening near the border. • No screening or handwashing stations.

Bus stations community and The bus terminus attracts intercity travellers truck drivers. Hand especially small traders and buses which washing services is connect Chirundu to other different cities such emphasised in as Makuti, Karoi, Chinhoyi and Harare. The bus respective shops. station, located inside the border post, receives The shops are 70 buses and 700 travellers daily. However, due protected by the to COVID-19 prevention measures, the bus Zimbabwe Republic station has been relocated less than 50m from Police (ZRP) which the PoE. At the new location, there is only one is located 500 functional toilet facility where travellers need to metres away from pay a small service fee. During COVID-19, a the shops who total of 12 buses arrive early in the morning and normally conduct late in the evening. The bus station can attract their patrols up to 500 migrants. The bus station is located especially during the 500 metres away from the health clinic and the night. local board provides security for 24 hours. There are no hand washing stations at the bus Truck stop station. The truck stop is located less than Shopping Centre 1km from the COVID-19 messaging at Chirundu border The shopping centre area located less than half border post. While post © IOM 2021 a km from the border, attracts over 600 waiting for their travellers and the local community daily. In this paperwork, the commercial truck drivers can location, there are a variety of shops: a bar, a park their trucks in this location with a 2$/fee nightclub, a post office, an information centre, a which includes a toilet, water and shower food court, a grocery shop, a mobile network amenities. A total of 70 commercial trucks provider shop and a business centre. The shops drivers can spend up to 4-5 days to get their are located 500 metres away from local health trucks cleared from the border post. The truck clinic and the CeSSHAR (a Non-Government stop is located 500 metres away from Organization providing health service in CeSSHAR health clinic and 1 kilometre away Chirundu district). The shopping centre usually from local Chirundu health clinic. There are no get crowded in the evening with the local functional hand washing stations in this location.

Table 2: Points of interest/congregation Points of interest/congregation Location Estimated Distance Details Number to nearest Stopping health facility Market 500 on <0.5 km • The market is less than 0.5km from the PoE where traders Mondays from Zambia come to sell produce and clothing. and Fridays • No screening or handwashing stations.

Bus station <0.5 km • This bus station is the main bus station in the city, located 700/daily 50m from the Chirundu point of entry. • Buses depart to Harare, Maketi, Karoi, Chinoy early in the morning and in the evening. • No screening or handwashing stations. Shopping <0.5 km • This shopping centre includes a nightclub, a bar, post centre 600/daily office, business centre, food court, grocery and Econet shop. • Handwashing stations present in some shops. Truck stop 1 km • The truck stop is less than 1km from the PoE where truck 70/daily drivers stop while waiting for border clearance. • No screening or handwashing stations.

COVID-19 messaging at Chirundu border post © IOM 2021

Chirundu: Conclusion and recommendations • Provide additional material assistance to The results of the PMM have provided a better local medical centres including additional understanding of the dynamics and sets of gloves, facemasks, thermometers, characteristics of migration and population hand washing stations, and other such items mobility mapping in Zimbabwe’s Northern that are required. region. • Develop risk communication with Flow Monitoring Points (FMPs) will be community engagement plans and strategies established in high mobility locations identified that follow bottom-up and decentralized during the PMM. Due to security restrictions on approaches, putting communities first for the informal points of entry, the FMPs shall be the planning and roll-out of activities. installed on prioritized congregation areas linking to prioritized informal points of entry. • Provide a greater level of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) to With the contribution of participants, 1 point of beneficiaries for combatting COVID19 entry and 4 points of interest have been associated stigmatization, including the prioritized for further public health measures correct training in dealing with positive due to a recognition of key sights where the COVID-19 cases. transmission of communicable diseases is most likely due to the congregation of persons on the • Put in place COVID-19 prevention move. measures at the high mobility locations identified during the PMM. Bus stations, Various improvements were identified by truck stop, market and shopping center COVID-19 response actors that must be need additional measures such as addressed for the more effective handwashing stations and temperature implementation of public health measures in checks.

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