Zimbabwean police
and army personnel have been implementing Operation Murambatsvina
(‘Restore Order / Clean Up’) since 23 May. Those targeted include
street children, homeless people, street traders, foreign currency
dealers, illegal and informal businesses and purportedly illegal houses
/ structures across the country.While
most Zimbabweans believe that some of the above elements had a negative
impact on society it is widely acknowledged that the modus operandi
has been appalling and many thousands of homes and market stalls have
been illegally demolished according to both national and international
law. The operation is still continuing across the country.
The informal
economic sector has been devastatingly affected. All market traders,
stalls, temporary shops and informal salespeople have had their livelihoods
taken away. The livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people have
been destroyed at a time when unemployment is estimated at 70%. Fifty
thousand homes have been destroyed. Conservative estimates put the
number of displaced individuals at 250,000. Many have been traumatised
by events, particularly children, increasing the general feeling of
fear and helplessness. Security of UN / NGO staff has not been compromised
mainly due to a cautious approach. Access has proved very difficult
and at present only churches with support of UN and faith-based NGOs
are able to provide direct assistance. One mosque has been destroyed
and some churches have been prevented from distributing relief or
providing shelter, though generally the church has not been impeded.
Christian Care is the sole agency now distributing food (WFP rations)
and NFIs (shelter and blankets) at a transit/holding camp called Caledonia
Farm as agreed with the Government and in UN/NGO coordination meetings.
UNICEF will provide the water and sanitation intervention at Caledonia
Farm. Christian Care, Lutheran Development Services and Zimbabwe Council
of Churches have made rapid assessments throughout the country and
are now preparing an appeal for submission to ACT CO.
ACT Zimbabwe members
are in a unique position as, through their church members, they are
able to provide humanitarian assistance whereas INGOs and UN do not
have access. The plan is to meet immediate needs of shelter in the
form of tents and blankets (June / July are the coldest months of
the year in Zimbabwe); other NFIs, for example cooking utensils, jerry
cans and soap; a basic dry food ration and targeted ‘wet’ or special
foods for vulnerable people (children; pregnant/lactating mothers
and other vulnerable groups). ACT implementing partners will require
assistance with food and NFIs, as well as expertise in psycho-social
support and counseling. Transportation is also being considered. Longer-term
interventions may also be planned in areas where partners are already
operating and have been affected either through destruction or a population
increase.
The Zimbabwe Christian
Council has issued a statement regarding the Churches` response to
operation Murambatsvina. Christian Care will be the lead implementing
agency and Christian Aid, Zimbabwe the key contact and co-ordination
agency. ACT Zimbabwe members are planning to submit an RRF this week
and a full ACT appeal by 5 July 2005.
