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NANGO commemorates World Refugee day
National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in Zimbabwe (NANGO)
June 20, 2008

The National Association of Non Governmental Organisations representing Non Governmental Organisations operating in Zimbabwe joins the global community in commemorating World Refugees Day [2008] under the global theme "Protecting Refugees: Rebuilding Lives in Safety and Dignity".

NANGO is deeply concerned about the disastrous implications that the indefinite ban on Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) field operations - which was proclaimed by the Zimbabwean Government on 3 June 2008 - has on efforts to provide relief to thousands of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Zimbabwe. The suspension order has effectively brought to virtual standstill, initiatives by the humanitarian sector in Zimbabwe to provide assistance to IDPs who are in desperate need of food, blankets, clothes, hygienic materials, medication, legal and psycho-social support.

Due to the continuous, systematic and escalating political violence ravaging the country since the March 29 Harmonized Elections, many Zimbabweans have been forced to flee from their homes and remain uprooted sleeping outside in the cold, struggling to survive. This recent spate of politically motivated violence comes over and above the unresolved impacts of Operation Murambatsvina which precipitated the internal displacement of thousands of Zimbabweans and the ongoing economic recession that has created millions of Zimbabwean economic refugees scattered in neighbouring countries.

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, NANGO stands in solidarity with the thousands of Zimbabwean economic refugees who fell victim to xenophobic attacks in South Africa and joins the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in urging governments worldwide to do more to secure the rights of refugees in their respective countries.

NANGO once more reiterates the need for human rights protection mechanisms that can insure people's right not to become refugees or IDPs. Furthermore NANGO calls upon political parties, security officials and the people of Zimbabwe to vigorously condemn the ongoing politically motivated violence that has resulted in thousands of Zimbabweans forcibly fleeing from their homes. NANGO notes the relationship between democracy and development and the enjoyment of human rights and therefore urges for peace and respect of the people's will on the occasion of the Presidential Run-Off election [June 27 2008].

NANGO also calls again upon the Government of Zimbabwe to allow without any restrictions NGO field operations countrywide so that IDPs can receive necessary aid.

NANGO also urges the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, to personally visit Zimbabwe and to engage in direct dialogue with the Zimbabwean Government to facilitate that IDPs can receive assistance from NGOs.

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