CARE International is upgrading water and sanitation facilities at health centers in Zimbabwe in an effort to help prevent large-scale cholera outbreaks in the future. The new
project, funded by the European Union – ECHO will upgrade water and sanitation facilities at all health facilities in Masvingo and Mwenezi Districts. Zimbabwe experienced
the worst that it ever had cholera outbreak between August 2008 and June 2009, with over 100,000 reported cases and 4,287 deaths recorded with an average fatality rate of 4.3 percent. During the last
outbreak cholera was also spread at health centers because of the deterioration in the facilities. “In order to avert the devastating impact of another cholera outbreak, we are
rehabilitating water and sanitation at the health centres. In doing this we are addressing some of the problems encountered during the last outbreak”, said Carol Sherman – Country
Director for CARE in Zimbabwe. The fact that the majority of rural households do not have access to clean water and proper sanitary facilities contributed to the quick spread of cholera. Most of
the water points installed by the government immediately after independence in 1980 have broken down, forcing people to use alternative sources such as rivers and dams unfit for consumption. These
alternative water sources increase the spread of cholera. The situation is worsened by the collapse of the country’s health system. As part of its programming and as a response to the
cholera outbreak, CARE Zimbabwe is also rehabilitating water supply points in communities. At the onset of the outbreak CARE worked with other humanitarian organisations in its operational areas
distributing education and communication materials on cholera and water purification tablets. CARE also distributed hygiene kits (2x20 liter buckets, 1 kg washing soap, water purification tablets,
and 3 sachets of oral dehydration salts) to 100,000 individuals for combating the spread of cholera. In addition, as part of its programming for safe water, CARE rehabilitated 187 water points in
three districts, with other 32 points still to be completed. CARE continues approaching donors for more funding. By implementing these projects CARE is lessening the likelihood of another
major outbreak, as warned by UNICEF Head in Zimbabwe – Dr Peter Salama, “Another cholera outbreak in the country is almost inevitable. We must work together with the government to
prevent another outbreak which we see coming".About CARE: CARE is one of the world’s largest independent aid organizations providing emergency relief and development projects in
nearly 70 countries around the world. CARE has been working in Zimbabwe since 1992, implementing programs in small economic development, agriculture and natural resource management, water and
sanitation, health and emergency response.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Los Angeles County firefighters spray water to put out hot spots after setting a tactical backfire during the Station fire in the Glendale area of Los Angeles, California September 1, 2009. ...
