British based Red Cross delegates have arrived in Zimbabwe as part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' response to the country's
humanitarian crisis.The peak season for cholera in southern Africa is usually January to April, during the rainy season. Levels of cholera are already very high, and the imminent rain brings a
renewed threat and sense of urgency to bring help to the most vulnerable.The four-member emergency response unit (ERU)
specialises in providing better access to clean water – improving sanitation and hygiene. The British ERU is one of seven teams from around the world, which have been deployed to Zimbabwe by the
Federation. The other Red Cross teams will include basic healthcare as well as further water and sanitation support. "Because of the nature of cholera and how it is transmitted, providing
sanitation and promoting basic health messages are a vital part of tackling the disease and the suffering it causes," said Di Moody, British Red Cross programme support manager for southern
Africa. "The team make up a small but very significant part of the co-ordinated international effort required to meet the humanitarian needs Zimbabwe is currently facing." Increase in choleraSouth Africa, Angola, Botswana and Mozambique have also seen an increase in cholera cases recently, and are being closely monitored by the Red Cross. The
number of cases in Angola is very high, with over 10,000 in 12 of the country's 18 provinces reported so far this year.Latest UN figures show that over 970 people have died from cholera in
Zimbabwe and there are a further 18,400 cases. The World Health Organisation estimates that eventually 60,000 people could be affected.As well as immediate medical aid and hygiene education,
the Red Cross is also providing other support to communities where millions have been made vulnerable by the long-term food crisis, resulting from floods, drought, and social and economic decline.
Some of those most at risk are people living with HIV, for whom the combined effects of cholera and lack of adequate nutrition can be especially deadly.Food crisisThe next
harvest is due in April but is expected to be poor due to the lack of seeds and fertiliser that were available for planting, as well as predicted below normal rains in the second half of the growing
season.
Most people have already used up all their cereal stock and are dependent on buying food from the shops. But with depleted stocks throughout the country, prices have doubled and
many households cannot afford to buy food.Ongoing food aid is being distributed in Zimbabwe through an existing network of Red Cross volunteers, and it is vital that this continues at least
until April.More about the Zimbabwe & Region Appeal
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
A Zimbabwean girl carries a bucket of water from a stream in Budiriro neighbourhood in Harare December 17, 2008. Zimbabwe's neighbours will launch an urgent humanitarian campaign in the hope of ...
