wfn.org | WCC NEWS: Zimbabwe: end ban on aid, stipulate ecumenical leaders

["WCC Media" <Media@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches - News Release

Contact: +41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

>For immediate release - 25/07/2008 09:44:50

END BAN ON AID, STIPULATE ECUMENICAL LEADERS HAILING ZIMBABWE MEMORANDUM  OF UNDERSTANDING

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has joined with a coalition of church  organizations calling foran end to restrictions which have banned  humanitarian aid distributions in Zimbabwe. In a statement issued  yesterday by the WCC, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, World Student  Christian Federation, World Alliance of YWCAs and World Alliance of YMCAs  congratulated Zimbabwean and African leaders involved in current negotiatio ns for signing a memorandum of understanding to continue discussions over  the future of Zimbabwe. At the same time the letter said steps need to be  taken to end the ban on distributing humanitarian aid, end all forms of  political violence and intimidation and create an environment for true  healing and reconciliation.

>Full text of the letter:
>http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=6159

>WCC member churches in Zimbabwe:
>http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=4654

Additional information:Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363media@wcc -coe.org

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness  and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of  churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant,  Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million  Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman  Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from  the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.