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European Caritas organisations look closely at Zimbabwe

Brussels, 15 April 2008 - Caritas England and Wales (CAFOD) as well as Caritas Ireland (Trócaire) are very worried over the political uncertainty prevailing in post-election Zimbabwe.

Two weeks after the holding of presidential elections, the world is still waiting for the publication of the results. Opposition is accusing the government for being behind this delay in order to be able to rigg the result.

Amid the political tension, people are daily confronted to the need of making ends meet. Food supplies are getting scarcer as global food prices are raising, as people find it more and more difficult to feed themselves and their family.

     © Annie Bungeroth

Nontobeko Nkomo and Mongameli, aged two, at Empandeni Primary School, Zimbabwe

 Photo: Annie Bungeroth (CAFOD)

On 11 April 2008, Caritas Ireland (Trócaire) made an official call on the South African government to put pressure on Zimbabwe to come to an end with the critical situation into which the country is trapped.

Caritas Internationalis has raised deep concerns over the elections in Zimbabwe. Caritas Internationalis Secretary General Lesley Anne Knight said, "Failure to release the election results without any compelling reason is not justifiable. It is simply leading to the suspicion that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is being manipulated to produce results against the verdict of the people."

Over four million people in Zimbabwe are facing critically low levels of staple foods unless they receive urgent food aid. Caritas has scaled up its operations to provide food for over 100,000 people until April 2008. Caritas is helping 16,500 families with agricultural and irrigation support in planting for the next harvest.

The Catholic Church in Zimbabwe has blamed the Government led by President Robert Mugabe for overseeing the economic and social collapse, for violating the freedom and fundamental rights of the people, and for failing to tackle rampant corruption.  



  

  Related links
 
  11.04.08 - Zimbabwe Elections 2008: Latest news 
      Caritas Ireland (Tro´caire)
 
  09.04.08 - Zimbabwe Crisis: Latest news 
      Caritas England and Wales (CAFOD)
 
  09.04.08 - Caritas raises deep concerns over Zimbabwe election
     Caritas Internationalis
 


 

 
 

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