This week, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS) announced the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe is expected to hit 100,000 cases. So far, the waterborne disease has killed almost 4,300 people since last August.
Cholera is a disease that can be easily treated, but the situation in Zimbabwe is severe. Because of the collapsing infrastructure, there is little access to clean water and medical care. As more people drink contaminated water, more people become sick.
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Zimbabwe Red Cross volunteers and staff have been mobilized to respond to the epidemic, helping with taking care of the sick and dead, but also conducting hygiene promotion activities to prevent further contamination.
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The Red Cross is asking the international community for about $3.44 million to help rebuild the water systems, including digging wells and constructing bathrooms. But donations have been slow, partly because of the worldwide financial crisis, and partly because of a distrust of Zimbabwe’s President, Robert Mugabe.
There is some good news, however. The Red Cross says it has already provided nearly half a million people with access to clean water since the cholera relief mission in Zimbabwe was launched in December. And for now, the spread of the disease appears to be slowing down.
For more information please visit: http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/response/zimbabwe/