Since March, NGOs already had to greatly curtail their activities and gatherings of people had not been permitted by the authorities. Now all humanitarian work has to stop.

NGOs will now be unable to reach those in need. Concern is worried about the tens of thousands of people who need essential humanitarian support. These include women and children, elderly, disabled and people living with HIV and AIDS. Planning should be underway now, preparing for the next agricultural season. The harvest this year is very worrying. It is clear that many people will not have enough food later this year if external aid is not provided. The suspension of NGO activities will also prevent other essential services such as support to health clinics and access to medicines, including anti-retrovirals for those living with HIV and AIDS. 

Hummanitarian principles 

Concern works under a terms of agreement with the government within the remit prescribed and in line with the strategies of the relevant line Ministries. Humanitarian principles have been followed in all work with aid priorities based on need alone and independent from political, military or religious agendas.

Concern has abided by all Zimbabwean laws. To ensure Concern can reach those in need, it has stressed at every point the non-partisan nature of the aid provided with staff teams, officials and with communities. Additionally, all NGOs working on controversial issues such as food aid have encouraged the presence of local authorities to monitor the work. At each food distribution, there is an address to the local community, stressing that food aid is not linked to any political party. If there are any specific charges about activities or members of staff in breach of the government agreement then due process to have an opportunity to respond and address them.

Concern would like to underline their humanitarian mandate to work with those in need regardless of their political affiliation.  It is hoped that Concern’s track record and that of other NGOs, results in a speedy return to essential work. Finally, Concern hopes for a significant improvement in the security situation, enabling people to make the best of their lives in a very difficult socio-economic situation.

Backround

Concern Worldwide began operations in Zimbabwe in response to the food emergency crisis of 2002-3. Concern has been operating as a fully registered private voluntary organisation recognised by the Government of Zimbabwe.

Concern runs programmes in three rural districts. In Gokwe North and South (Midlands Province) field activity had been reduced since the elections at the end of March. In Nyanga district (Manicaland Province) Concern has had to cease field activities in line with a directive last Friday by the local authorities to all NGOs working in the Province

• Food distribution: this ran for six months during the “hungry season” and ended on 20 March with a monthly food ration for approximately 200,000 beneficiaries. Concern along with other humanitarian organisations, are monitoring the situation in case new food distributions will need to begin later in the year. A significant food deficit is expected again this year due to the recent inadequate harvest
• Livelihood security programme: this targets rural communities with activities including conservation farming, seed and fertilizer distribution, seed fairs, communal nutrition gardens. This programme reaches 124,000 beneficiaries
• HIV and AIDS: This is a new programme aimed at reducing transmission of HIV, supporting local organisations and hospitals to provide services. Income generating activities are provided, especially for female headed households. 37,000 people benefit from this programme