11 July 2008As the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe deepens, many communities have lost their basic health services and continuing Red Cross assistance to vulnerable
populations is vital.Drought, HIV, political violence and economic meltdown continue to affect the country and the humanitarian need is increasing, as thousands of people are not receiving the
support they need.The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS), supported by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, continues to implement its programmes and currently has 39,000
volunteers taking care of 53,000 children orphaned by AIDS and 22,000 HIV home-based care clients.Food crisisAccording to the UN, more than five million people will be in need
of food assistance over the next nine months, which means a huge amount of food will need to be imported. Volunteers with the ZRCS continue to provide food assistance to some of the most vulnerable
people.There are also thousands of people who do not have access to clean water and the problem is particularly severe for those living with HIV and others such as single parents and
children.The British Red Cross is supporting a water and sanitation project to provide safe drinking water by drilling boreholes and installing hand pumps. In addition, thousands of volunteers
are receiving training in the provision of hygiene and sanitation education.Political tensionInflation has made food, fuel, health and school unaffordable for many. In the
recent election period and resulting political tensions the ZRCS has mobilised emergency response teams to provide first aid.The ZRCS has also provided humanitarian assistance, including food,
water and shelter to more than 1,300 people affected by political violence, many of whom have fled their homes.Di Moody, programme support manager, said: "Red Cross volunteers have always
played a key role in our humanitarian work and in the current climate in Zimbabwe, their presence has become crucial to communities where many basic health services are no longer available."Read a Zimbabwe refugee storyMore about water and sanitation in
Zimbabwe
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) hold banners as they demonstrate in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe at Beit Bridge border crossing July 5, 2008. REUTERS/Antony ...
