United Nations Radio

~United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the government of Zimbabwe's lifting of the restrictions it imposed on relief organizations ahead of the controversial presidential run-off elections in June.

In a statement issued today, the Secretary-General said the lifting of the restrictions is a positive development which will help ensure that neutral and impartial humanitarian assistance is provided to the people of Zimbabwe.

He also welcomed the government's invitation to all non-governmental and private voluntary organizations as well as United Nations agencies to discuss humanitarian operations following the lifting of the ban.

Mr. Ban stressed the importance of ensuring that humanitarian organizations have full and unhindered access to vulnerable populations in order to carry out vital relief operations.

The Secretary-General said the United Nations is ready to work with the government and its relief partners to continue providing relief assistance in Zimbabwe.

Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Dianne Penn.

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