The Journal Issue 15 Zimbabwe’s people,
already seriously weakened by lack of food, are in grave danger as a
cholera epidemic sweeps the country. To date there have been almost
13,000 cholera cases reported, but with poor communications,
particularly in rural areas, we fear the real numbers are much higher.
The epidemic is spreading fast, and although Oxfam and other aid
agencies are doing all we can to contain the disease, the unfortunate
reality is that things are likely to get a lot worse before they get
better. We are now at the beginning of the rainy season in southern
Africa. As cholera is a water-borne disease, rain will aid the spread
of cholera much faster, and further. Already, we are seeing cases being
reported in neighbouring South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia.
With the onset of the rains and the continuing deterioration of water
and sanitation infrastructure, there is a real fear that the epidemic
could engulf the country.
In Oxfam’s view it took too long for the Zimbabwean government to
acknowledge the scale and extent of the problem, but we welcome their
recent admission of a national health emergency, and calls for
assistance.
At this point, international donors need to respond much more urgently
to humanitarian needs in Zimbabwe. All options to halt the spread of
cholera need to be addressed quickly, including the provision of good
medical care, raising awareness on cholera prevention, as well as
ensuring that at-risk populations have access to clean water,
sanitation and hygiene materials such as soap and jerry cans.
Our staff in Zimbabwe report that many people are eating just one meal
every few days, and this has been the case for months. With inflation
running rampant, even the small minority who a lucky enough to be
employed aren’t able to access food – crops have failed, and shops are
empty. They are hungry, weak, and vulnerable to infection. The World
Food Programme and its partners were forced to cut the food rations
being distributed during November due to the lack of resources being
committed by donors. Indications are that close to half the population
will urgently need food aid by January.
The global average cholera Case Fatality Rate is 1 per cent – 1 per
cent of people infected with cholera die. However in Zimbabwe we are
now seeing fatality rates of between 8 and 10 per cent. The tragedy of
this situation is that cholera is ordinarily easily treated. All it
takes is a rehydration salts and some clean water. But for people who
don’t have food, who in many cases are living with HIV and AIDS, and
who don’t have access to medical care, contracting cholera can be a
deadly blow.
Oxfam’s cholera response is focusing on three worst hit areas:
Beitbridge on the South African border; Budiriro, a suburb of Harare;
and Mudzi, an area bordering Mozambique. We also plan to start moving
into areas where cholera has not hit, to proactively prevent the spread
of the disease. In addition, working with the WFP, we are distributing
12,000 metric tones of maize meal, vegetable oil and pulses.
Oxfam is targeting 500,000 people in our cholera response, and reaching
250,000 vulnerable people through our food aid programme. We are
working with Zimbabwean partners and coordinating our response with
other aid agencies.
However, unless the international community steps up to provide money
for not only the cholera crisis, but the food crisis, the already dire
situation will get much worse. No-one should wait for a political
solution in Zimbabwe before pledging to help – let’s not leave it too
late for millions of vulnerable Zimbabweans.
Charles Abani
Charles Abani is the regional director for Oxfam in southern Africa
Post published in: News