SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES LIFTING OF AID SUSPENSION BY ZIMBABWE GOVERNMENT

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of the Government of Zimbabwe to lift the suspension of field operations of non-governmental and private voluntary organizations (NGOs and PVOs).  This positive development will help ensure that neutral and impartial humanitarian assistance is provided to the people of Zimbabwe. 

The Secretary-General also welcomes the Government’s invitation to all NGOs and PVOs, as well as United Nations agencies, to discuss the operational modalities following the lifting of the suspension.  He would like to emphasize the importance of ensuring that people in need have full access to humanitarian assistance essential to their health and well-being, and that humanitarian organizations have full and unhindered access to vulnerable populations in order to carry out vital relief operations. 

The United Nations stands ready to work together with the Government and NGO/PVO partners to continue provision of humanitarian assistance in Zimbabwe.

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For information media • not an official record