FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Zimbabwe: NANGO strongly condemns ban on NGOs

At a time when many Zimbabweans are in need of humanitarian assistance ranging from educational support, food, legal aid, medical support, water and many other services from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), The National Association of NGOs (NANGO) is deeply disturbed by the fact that several NGOs operating in different parts of the country - including those in the humanitarian sector - have been banned from delivering humanitarian assistance and other crucial services they are registered to deliver.

The few that are operating continue to suffer heavy intimidation, harassment, are forced to go through various political party structures for clearance or permission to do their programmes and have difficulties accessing foreign currency, cash in local currency and fuel. These NGOs have been operating in Zimbabwe for a long time.

NANGO is aware that ZANU-PF party officials are accusing NGOs of allegedly campaigning for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) by providing humanitarian assistance. NANGO strongly denies these false allegations and condemns subsequent bans on NGO activities. NANGO members in the humanitarian sector have always conducted their work in a non-partisan manner using internationally agreed principles. Their sole mission is to provide assistance to people in need. Many Zimbabweans are in desperate need of aid due to an acute shortage of basic commodities, sky rocketing food prices, and a bad harvest. By stopping assistance delivered by NGOs in the agrarian sector, an aggravation of the food crisis can be expected. The 29 March nation-wide post election violence has aggravated the situation - leaving thousands of Zimbabweans internally displaced, struggling to survive and in need of assistance.

It is ironic that the ban on NGOs for them to provide food relief is coming at a time President Robert G. Mugabe is attending the Food summit of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) in Rome discussing various food security issues including the combat against hunger.

NANGO appeals to the responsible authorities to allow NGOs to continue with the non-partisan humanitarian assistance. It also demands an immediate stop to the violence that has resulted in many people being displaced and in need of humanitarian aid. 

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