without reason by the local governor in Bindura.127 Secondly, the scope and scale of the evictions was unexpected. Local and international NGO representatives told Human Rights Watch that they were unaware of how extensive the evictions were in the first two weeks.128 Since the evictions were countrywide, it was difficult to put together the resources to reach more people in particular those sleeping in the open where their houses were demolished.129 These obstacles have made it understandably difficult for humanitarian agencies to operate. By August 26, out of an estimated 133,535 households affected, only 33,600 (about 20 percent) of households were receiving UN humanitarian assistance.130 A countrywide assessment by the responsible agencies to ascertain the location and needs of those affected by the evictions ended in early August. Nonetheless, UN and other humanitarian agencies are finding it difficult to trace those that have been internally displaced especially in the rural areas.131 As documented in this report, thousands of people remain destitute and have not yet received any assistance or protection. Human Rights Watch is particularly concerned about women and children sleeping in the open who are vulnerable to further human rights abuses including sexual abuse and harassment, and the situation of persons living with HIV/AIDS. The conclusions of the UN Special Envoy’s report have produced tension between the government of Zimbabwe and the UN in particular the UN Country Team which has the task of negotiating the terms of humanitarian assistance with the government. Deplorably the government of Zimbabwe continues to place unnecessary obstacles in the way of the humanitarian assistance program.132 On August 29, the UN UnderSecretary General for humanitarian affairs, Jan Egeland complained that a lack of cooperation from government was hampering efforts to aid those affected by the evictions. The government has raised objections to the contents of a draft emergency appeal proposed by the UN, which would have helped those hardest hit by the eviction program, and refused to sign an agreement with the UN to mobilize much needed relief 127 Human Rights Watch interview, local NGO representatives and UN officials, Harare, June and July 2005. 128 Ibid. 129 op cit. 130 United Nations Factsheet on Zimbabwe, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, August 26, 2005. 131 Human Rights Watch telephone interviews with UN officials, August 18, 2005. 132 Press conference on Zimbabwe evictions by Under Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs, Jan Egeland, New York, August 29, 2005. 33