Anita, a twenty-year-old widow had four children including twins. One of the twins had a disability and spent most of her time in and out of hospital. She was able to survive by selling fruits and vegetables. On the day the evictions took place she was in the hospital with the twins. She said: The doctor discharged me because the child’s condition didn’t change. When I reached home, I discovered the house pulled down. My belongings were looted and I had nothing to do. So I have to stay out in the open with the kids. At first, I gave my two other children to their grandmother who lives on a near by farm but then she had to work and the children weren’t allowed on the farm where she is working. My four children and I are now sleeping outside. I was living in a shack which belonged to my in-laws. My in-laws were allocated a stand during the 2002 elections. We weren’t given any notice. They (the local authorities) told us it was an operation and that they didn’t want any illegal structures. One of my children is still going to school but now has to move very far. What worries me is where will he go and I have to transfer him. It pains me because the school he went to offered high quality education. We have now been sleeping outside for about two weeks. I am planning to go and stay with my step sister if things get worse. I am able to get help from a local NGO food point. Other NGOs are not allowed to give us help because they (the government) say we should go to the rural areas.105 Children Children have also been affected by the demolitions and evictions. UN agencies concluded that a significant percentage of children throughout the country had been “prejudiced of humanitarian support, shelter and support systems.”106 The UN report on the impact of the evictions estimated that up to 223,000 children were directly 105 Human Rights Watch interview, Harare, June 22, 2005. Special Bulletin “Operation Restore Order and Murambatsvina,” Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator/ Humanitarian Supports Team, June 20 2005; See also UNICEF press statement “UNICEF steps up action in Zimbabwe, though concerned that all affected cannot be reached,” June 24, 2005. 106 26