move 10,000 tons of food. It also cost us money to keep the food in South Africa because we had to [rent] extra warehouses.66 Attempts by ZANU-PF to Interfere in Food Aid Distribution Despite the formal lifting of the ban, restrictions on the operations of humanitarian agencies remain. The terms of a new Memorandum of Understanding signed between local and international humanitarian agencies and the ZANU-PF authorities say that if the agencies wish to operate in a specific area, they must first get permission and sign a written agreement with local government structures setting the terms for the distribution.67 While such a request by the government may seem reasonable, local government and party structures in Zimbabwe have attempted to use this requirement to control and impede the efforts of humanitarian agencies to assess needs and provide much needed food and other assistance to Zimbabweans. The requirements have also left the delivery of humanitarian assistance open to manipulation by government agents and ZANU-PF officials. Representatives from a number of NGOs told Human Rights Watch that banning restrictions continue to be enforced in some localities by ZANU-PF officials, “war veterans” and traditional leaders. Local authorities and chiefs have also tried to interfere directly in humanitarian agencies’ food distribution. ZANU-PF officials in at least two areas insisted that food aid should be distributed exclusively through their local structures. Two NGOs independently told Human Rights Watch that the Governor of Masvingo province was insisting that someone from ZANU-PF must accompany all humanitarian agencies or they would not be able to distribute food.68 In another case, in Gokwe, Midlands, one humanitarian NGO was unable to distribute food because ZANU-PF officials and militia continued to patrol the area and demand that food be distributed through them.69 Representatives from the particular NGOs informed Human Rights Watch that they had raised the issue with the government but their concerns were not addressed. The NGOs expressed reluctance to raise the situation with donors because they feared expulsion from the country or the renewed suspension on their operations. 66 Human Rights Watch interview, Harare, November 25, 2008. 67 Human Rights Watch interviews with local and international NGOs, Harare, November 16-26, 2008. 68 Human Rights Watch interviews with representatives of humanitarian organizations, Harare, November 18, 2008. 69 Human Rights Watch telephone interview with representative of humanitarian organization, November 11, 2008. Crisis without Limits 22