wfn.org | Archbishop Ndungane on UN Zimbabwe Report

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 4010     |     SOUTH AFRICA      |     25 JULY 2005

Statement from Archbishop Ndungane on the release of the UN Report on
Zimbabwe.

The Anglican Church in Southern Africa has begun a relief fund for those
in Zimbabwe affected by Operation Murambatsvina and has donated R250,000
to start it off.

This money will be used for food and other basic necessities and there
is ongoing research and discussion aimed at identifying the most
effective means of distribution of this aid. It is possible that we may
join our efforts to those of other faith communities in Southern Africa.

While I support the UN's condemnation of those responsible for the
operation and the call for them to be brought to book for their inhumane
actions, my major concern now is with the well being of people so
terribly affected by this humanitarian crisis.

In the short term, our concerns must be adequate food, water, shelter
and health care and with these basics for human life the international
community can be of much help. I appeal to the Zimbabwean Government to
facilitate international humanitarian operations within the country
since it has limited capacity to address these needs fully at present. I
also appeal to President Mugabe and the Zimbabwe Government to stop the
Operation immediately and to focus on rebuilding and reconstruction.

In the longer term, I endorse the recommendation contained in the UN
Report that the Zimbabwean Government and all stakeholders work to
revive dialogue and restore trust within the government itself and
between Government and all spheres of civil society.

I am sure that there are independent and experienced facilitators,
acceptable to government and civil society organisations, who could be
called in to assist with such dialogue. In an earlier visit to Zimbabwe
in 2003, I met with President Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangiri, and
representatives of civil society organisations and churches. They were
unanimous in their view that there is no alternative to negotiations. I
therefore call on all resourceful Zimbabweans to gather around the
negotiating table and to work together to resolve their economic
problems and political tensions.

I am happy to hear that the South African Government will engage with
the UN on their recommendations regarding Zimbabwe and I look forward to
meeting with President Mbeki again, together with the South African
Council of Churches and other religious leaders to continue our
discussions on how best to help the Zimbabwean community.

I appeal to the international community to assist in any way possible to
bring relief to those hundreds of thousands of affected people and to
help work towards restoring their living conditions to acceptable
standards.

Anyone who would like to make a donation to the Anglican relief fund for
Zimbabwe may do so to the CPSA Disaster Relief Fund, Standard Bank, Cape
Town (branch code 020009), account number 070078394.

For more information, please contact Penny Lorimer, Media Liaison for
Archbishop Ndungane, on 082 894-1522.

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