United Nations Radio

The UN is warning that post-election violence in Zimbabwe is rising to near-crisis levels.

The top UN official in Zimbabwe says the UN country team has been receiving an increasing number of reports and requests for humanitarian assistance for people affected by violence. UN Spokesperson Michele Montas says the violence, ahead of a planned presidential run-off, is purportedly at the hands of supporters of both ZANU-PF and the MDC throughout the country.

"These incidences of violence are occurring in communal, farming and urban areas and there are indications that the level of violence is escalating in all these areas and could reach crisis levels. The UN team on the ground is deeply concerned about the number of internally displaced people that have fled their homes for fear of reprisals by party activists, without food, shelter and other basic social services."

The UN country team is concerned that the situation could lead to unprecedented humanitarian needs. The team has brought this information to the attention of the Government of Zimbabwe and continues to engage the Government to seek solutions to the unfolding humanitarian situation and encourages all concerned to ensure that people in need are properly assisted.

For United Nations Radio, I'm Dianne Penn.

(duration: 1'18")