After the signing of a new power sharing agreement, huge challenges remain in Zimbabwe, says the Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference.

Fr Fradereck Chiromba was present when President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF and Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change signed the agreement, ending months of political deadlock and violence.

"It was a joyful and momentous occasion. But, behind the signatures on that piece of paper are huge challenges ahead for Zimbabwe's so-called government of national unity," he said.

The Archbishop of York joined other Christians in giving a cautious welcome to the power sharing agreement.

Writing on his website, Dr John Sentamu said that the deal was a "step in the right direction that will hopefully lead to a full restoration of justice, democracy and a final end to the brutal regime of Robert Mugabe".

Dr Sentamu famously cut up his clerical collar during a television interview in protest of Mugabe, saying he would not wear one again until the president was out of power.

Catholic aid agency Progressio said that the international community should be ready to step in with recovery programmes to help restore democracy and stability to Zimbabwe.

Dr Sentamu warned that the international community would be concerned that aid sent to Zimbabwe reaches the poor and not those "who have abused power over the past three decades".

Aid agencies warn of crippling shortages of food, medicine and other basic necessities.

"There is a great need to provide basic food aid as people are coping with a bad harvest and of course the country's dire economic situation. There are also no medicines in the hospitals, doctors do not even have aspirins to give out and there is the situation of the three million or so Zimbabweans living in neighbouring countries," said Fr Chiromba.

"And of course development doesn't work unless it goes hand in hand with healing and reconciliation for those people who have been traumatised by the violence.

"The Catholic Church has always played a pivotal role in prioritising the needs of the people and will continue to do so as we all hope and pray that peoples' lives will now change for the better."

Dr Sentamu also highlighted the concerns of Zimbabwean refugees in Britain that the power sharing agreement might lead to a programme of enforced return.

"We must wait to see how this deal works out in practice," he said.

The Methodist Church also welcomed the power sharing agreement.

Roy Crowder, Methodist Partnership Coordinator for Africa, said, "Clearly Zanu-PF have reached a point of weakness and cannot continue to run the country alone, possibly because their funding has run out and they can no longer afford to control the security forces.

"Both parties are strong in different ways. Zanu-PF holds the reins of institutional power, but the international community refuses to recognise their status. While the MDC has had no institutional control, their presence in government could unlock international aid for the reconstruction of this desperate country.

"Much will now depend on which party influences and controls the Zimbabwean security forces."

Frank Kantor, Secretary for Church and Society for the United Reformed Church, said meanwhile, "Many people have taken significant risks to outline a vision for a new Zimbabwe.

"The country desperately needs courageous leadership to make this vision a reality and to find ways to balance the requirements of justice with those of national healing and reconciliation in Zimbabwe.

"The people of Zimbabwe are looking for permanent long-term change. It will be difficult for this power-sharing arrangement to deliver fundamental reforms unless it addresses this need."