Published: 3 December 2008
As the humanitarian situation worsens in Zimbabwe, the IFRC is increasing its support of cholera prevention activities throughout the country.
Latest estimates put the total of reported cholera cases at over 12,500 and at least 500 deaths. The situation is expected to worsen as rainfall increases, and the flood season begins.
In response to the deteriorating situation, the IFRC released more than 200,000 Swiss francs to support the initial response of the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society to the outbreak.
This has enabled Red Cross volunteers, in the last two weeks, to reach more than 11,000 people in seven provinces with health and hygiene messages in English, Shona and Ndebele. The funds have also been used to provide cholera kits and water purification equipment which are being distributed to communities in affected areas.
“The most effective way to fight cholera is prevention. We are working to empower communities to take the steps needed to protect themselves from this deadly but curable and preventable disease,” said John Fleming, the IFRC’s Southern Africa health and care coordinator.
Cholera has also been posing serious health risks across the border in South Africa, where approximately six deaths and 400 cases have been reported so far. The Musina branch of the South African Red Cross Society has mobilized its staff and volunteers to carry out educational activities by widely distributing prevention information leaflets as well as providing support to health authorities.
“Cholera is a disease that is endemic in this region, and Red Cross societies have well-established contingency plans and are prepared to respond as efficiently as possible, in cooperation with authorities and other stakeholders” said John Fleming.
The IFRC has also released more than 82,000 Swiss francs for cholera prevention in Mozambique. Since June 2008, almost 8,000 cases have been reported in Mozambique and nearly 10,000 in Angola, triggering the activation of cholera contingency plans for their national Red Cross societies.