Zimbabwe: A Nation in Recovery (Part 1 of 6)
In August of 2009, Austin Andrews and I visited Zimbabwe on assignment for the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Our task was to document the work of IOM in Zimbabwe as the country recovered from an unprecedented economic meltdown. Photographs are copyright © 2009 Will van Engen / International Organization for Migration (IOM).
——
Migration and Health: Caledonia
——
Our journey in Zimbabwe began with a visit to one of the hardest hit villages in the country. In 2005, the government launched a program known as “Operation Restore Order,” ostensibly aimed at clearing illegal housing developments. Critics argue that these slums are bases of support for the opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and the operation was a move to consolidate political power.
Soldiers demolished thousands of homes in slums surrounding Harare and other major centres, leaving close to 700,000 people without a place to stay. Several transit camps were established on the outskirts of Harare. Caledonia was one of those places. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) operates a mobile medical clinic in Caledonia once a month. For many this is the only access to medical attention they will have.
Hundreds of Caledonia residents wait to see health professionals at IOM’s mobile health clinic.
A young girl waits in line outside of the medical clinic.
A mother and child await medical attention outside of the mobile clinic.
Two young girls wait outside of the medical clinic.
A mother and child await medical attention at the IOM clinic.
A medical professional checks the blood pressure of an elderly Caledonia resident.
An elderly woman has a routine health check performed.
A child has his eye examined by an IOM health professional.