ZIMBABWE CARE prepares to resume operations

HARARE, ZIMBABWE (August 29, 2008) – CARE International in Zimbabwe was pleased today to receive notice the Government of Zimbabwe will permit registered humanitarian organizations to resume full operations, effective immediately. The announcement was made in a press statement from Mr. L.C. Museka, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare of the Government of Zimbabwe.

“CARE warmly welcomes this news. This timely announcement will allow CARE to quickly mobilize,” said Stephen Gwynn-Vaughan, Director of CARE Zimbabwe. “CARE looks forward to continuing to work with the Government of Zimbabwe to aid the people as CARE has always done – independently, impartially and apolitically.”

CARE Zimbabwe has resources prepositioned and staff are prepared to quickly restart all programs that were suspended in June. Approximately half a million beneficiaries were impacted when CARE operations were suspended. CARE programs in Zimbabwe cover small economic activity development, agriculture and natural resources development, water and sanitation improvement, health and nutrition – including helping those affected by HIV and AIDS, disaster preparedness, and emergency relief.

Given universal and unimpeded access to beneficiaries, CARE is confident that by the end of October it will be able to provide hot meals to 100,000 vulnerable children each day and provide basic rations to 500,000 more people who lack food security. CARE will be able to provide training and distribute agricultural inputs to over 20,000 households before the planting season begins. The resumption of CARE’s other programs will benefit over 120,000 people in the poorest communities of the Masvingo and Midlands provinces.

“I would like to express CARE’s gratitude to our major donors, including USAID, CIDA, DFID, SIDA, the European Commission, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, for their unwavering support over the past few months,” said Gwynn-Vaughan.

On Monday, September 1, CARE will join other registered humanitarian organizations in meeting with government officials to discuss the specifics of resuming humanitarian operations.

Media contact:
Kenneth Walker
Africa Communications Manager
Tel: +27 11 234 1221
Cell: +27 82 336 8312

About CARE: Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE has more than six decades of experience delivering emergency aid during times of crisis. Our emergency responses focus on the needs of the most vulnerable populations, particularly girls and women. Women and girls are at the heart of CARE’s emergency relief efforts because our experience shows that their gains translate into benefits for families and communities.