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Statement on the raids on informal settlements and flea markets
National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in Zimbabwe (NANGO)
June 03, 2005

The National Association of NGOs [NANGO], representing NGOs operating in the country, notes with great concern the severe impact that the current Operation Restore Order and Operation Murambatsvina are having on family livelihoods and on the welfare of the orphans and vulnerable children.

Although a detailed audit of the impact is not yet complete, indications from Organisations working directly with those that have been affected point to the significant entrenchment of an already dire urban poverty, unemployment and human rights violations. Women, orphans and vulnerable children are by far the most affected groups requiring urgent assistance in the form of shelter, warmth, sanitary wear, food and medication.

Whilst acknowledging the need for a broad economic turnaround and the efforts made so far towards the redress of the country's economic position, NANGO insists that the Operations are incongruent with the government's expressed commitments to the Informal Sector Economy and to Orphans and Vulnerable children. It is unfortunate that the coping mechanisms and social safety nets that people have been building overtime, at times with government support, are being decimated overnight.

By no means should the prerogative of fostering a clean environment be allowed to override government's obligation to protect the interest of the poor, the marginalised and the vulnerable. A more responsible course of action should be put in place to deal with the crime and the dirt in the city without prejudicing people's basic livelihoods.

As the population battles to meliorate the emerging humanitarian crisis that has been predicated by the poor performance of the economy and the looming drought, the call is for government to support rather than impede its population in the struggles against poverty and unemployment. NANGO thus calls upon government to increase its spending on social service delivery, to support the informal economy and to focus more on putting in place social protection programmes and mechanisms.

NANGO hereby calls upon government to stop the Operations immediately until appropriate alternative mechanisms are put in place. NANGO is also calling upon all NGOs to respond to the crisis by offering practical humanitarian assistance to those affected.

Visit the NANGO fact sheet

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