Kaoma Place of Safety has been refurbished, opened, and handed over to Government, through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The place of safety is meant to provide shelter and assistance to Gender-Based Violence survivors, vulnerable migrants, and victims of human trafficking, among other vulnerable groups, who are awaiting reintegration into society.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, in Kaoma district in Western Province, District Commissioner, Ms. Kashina Muyambango, appreciated the development which she said will significantly contribute to the protection and assistance of such vulnerable groups of people in society.
Ms. Muyambango hailed IOM’s support for vulnerable migrants and Gender-Based Violence victims which responds to the government’s agenda to cooperate with partners in delivering various forms of social protection to citizens.
“Government takes cognisance of the support and cordial relationship it continues to enjoy with IOM and other partners, and I, therefore, urge other stakeholders to extend their services to GBV and violence victims”, Ms Kashina Muyambango said.
She said this in a speech read on her behalf by the Kaoma District Agriculture Officer, Mr Pius Mishengo Mishengo.
And IOM Chief of Mission, Ms. Keisha Livermore, who was represented by Ms. Nomsisi Wonani, said the organisation has been working tirelessly alongside the Zambian government, Civil Society Organizations, and other stakeholders to combat human trafficking and GBV to provide support to victims.
She said the shelter therefore represents the organization’s commitment to providing a haven for survivors, as well as comprehensive services and support to help them rebuild their lives.
She disclosed that the Global victim-perpetrator synthetic data has recorded over 17,000 victims of trafficking in over 123 countries between 2005 and 2022, and an average of 10,000 GBV cases per quarter in Zambia for the year 2023.
“IOM reaffirms its commitment to working with the Government to provide a safe space for victims and ensure that they access services which are beneficial to their wellbeing and reintegration process”, she said, with a call to equally address the drivers of trafficking and GBV and promote sustainable peace and recovery.
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Ms. Livermore, therefore, hoped that the Kaoma and other shelters in selected parts of the country, will not only serve as a physical space for victims to find refuge but will also offer a range of services tailored to their unique needs.
