The head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has told the BBC that contingency plans are needed in case the exodus of refugees from Zimbabwe increases.
Antonio Guterres called for increased assistance from the international community to help Southern Africa cope, BBC online reports Wednesday.
He said the UNHCR estimates that there are more than three million displaced Zimbabweans in the region as more and more people are fleeing the worsening economic and political situation in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabweans are struggling to find even the most basic goods on shop shelves, as an economic crisis pushes inflation above 4.500 per cent and unemployment is estimated at more than 80 per cent.
There are many people seeking asylum in the region, and it is often difficult to tell who is a migrant, refugee, smuggler and trafficker, Guterres said.
Mr Guterres said that movement out of Zimbabwe has been happening for many years, but that because of the recent unstable situation, more people have fled.
The opposition in South Africa has called for refugee camps to be established, but the government has said they are not needed.
