On June 4, 2008 the Zimbabwean government instructed all non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including World Vision, to suspend all field operations until further notice.

World Vision is gravely concerned for the millions of Zimbabweans, especially children, who are currently hungry or who do not know if they will have enough food in the near future.

In response, World Vision Zimbabwe, as part of a coordinated humanitarian agency community in the country, has signed a joint statement through the OCHA (United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) registering its concerns about the aid suspension order and its impact on communities.

World Vision started operating in Zimbabwe in 1973. Today, donors support 74,000 children, including 10,000 children supported by Canadians.

World Vision Canada currently funds three Area Development Projects in Zimbabwe including education, food security, livelihood development, health and water projects.

It is our sincere hope that the crisis will be resolved expediently, to allow activities to resume.

In the interim, sponsored children and their families will continue to benefit from the sustainable development work that World Vision has already accomplished in partnership with local communities including, school construction, water projects and agricultural training.

It is difficult to tell when the ban will be lifted. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and post updates as more information is received from our World Vision Zimbabwe staff.