MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia will provide $1 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to assist victims of the Zimbabwe Government's 'Operation Restore Order', an appalling outrage which has been condemned by the Australian Government and the international community.
Under 'Operation Restore Order' homes, trading stalls, businesses and farms have been demolished, leaving more than 700,000 people homeless.
The displaced, including more than 200,000 children, are in a dire situation and continue to suffer ongoing victimisation such as forced removal from transit camps and churches to rural areas.
These appalling events in Zimbabwe come on top of the economic collapse, severe food shortages and 70% unemployment caused by the disastrous policies of the Mugabe Government.
Australia is at the forefront of international action against Zimbabwe and has sanctions in place against the Mugabe regime, including suspension of development cooperation. But we make an exception for humanitarian assistance to help ordinary Zimbabweans who are the victims of their government's human rights abuses and gross economic mismanagement.
Our funds will provide clean water and sanitation, health care, blankets, shelter and household items and support child protection programs. Aid will target those most at risk including children, pregnant women and the chronically ill, including people living with HIV/AIDS.
Australia's assistance will be delivered by UNICEF, an organisation that can effectively deliver humanitarian relief in Zimbabwe without political interference.
This contribution builds on our previous aid to Zimbabwe announced in July, which provided $90,000 in relief items for the displaced through the International Organisation for Migration and CARE Zimbabwe, and $2.5 million for the general food crisis through the World Food Programme.
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 0419 206 890
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590