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Zimbabwe begs for cholera aid
Terry Kirby4 Dec 2008
Zimbabwe declared a state of emergency today after finally admitting that the cholera outbreak which has claimed hundreds of lives in the impoverished country is out of control.
Zimbabwe's health minister David Parirenyatwa has asked World Health Organisation aid agencies for medicine, equipment and funds to pay medical staff.
Zimbabwe's state-controlled media quoted him as telling the agencies: "Our central hospitals are literally not functioning. Our staff is demotivated and we need your support to ensure that they start coming to work and our health system is revived."
Zimbabwe's deputy minister for water and infrastructural development Walter Mzembi was also reported as saying that his ministry only had water treatment chemicals to last about 12 weeks. "I am appealing for at least 40 million rand ($3.89million) to purchase chemicals for the next two months and the money is needed between now and next Monday." The government has also appealed for $450 million in aid to deal with food shortages.
The United Nations has estimated that the death toll stands officially at 565, although some reports have estimated that the number now runs into thousands. A total of 12,500 cases have been recorded. The Zimbabwean government has previously claimed the outbreak was under control and blamed it on Western sanctions against President Robert Mugabe.
Mr Parirenyatwa admitted his government needed water as well as sanitation equipment, the World Health Organisation office in Harare said. A spokesman added: "It was the first time where the minister has called all the parties together to detail all the needs of the government."
Yesterday the WHO flew enough anti-cholera supplies and medicines to Harare, which is the worst hit area, to treat up to 2,000 moderate cases.
Most of the capital has been without water since Sunday. Supply to the city has been erratic for two years amid the general collapse of the country's health and sanitation systems.
Many people rely upon boreholes and primitive hand pumps. Raw sewage runs down some streets in Harare.
Reader views (10)
The aid-and I hope it gets there ASAP-must be distributed conditional on no contact with Mugabe's henchmen; why the hell the rest of Africa cannot get it's act together and get rid of the man is beyond me.
- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK, 04/12/2008 16:21
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If Mugabe is still in office when aid is provided, his hench men will just divert it for their own use. Zim & the rest of Africa have failed due to men like Mugabe and the naivety of the west who think we can change/support them through aid. All our aid and money does is allow the Govts to divert funds that should be used to help the populace into weaponds
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 04/12/2008 16:19
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No Adam is should be provided on the basis that it is distributed by an indepedent international organisation
Do not make the people of Zimbabwe pay for Mugabe's behaviour any longer.
- Liberal Thinker, UK, 04/12/2008 15:01
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Get Mugabe to go and do a "walk-about" in the infected areas and then pay for AID out of his financial statches which are hidden around the world. After that, arrest him, jail him.
- Wq (Ex Pat), Frankfurt, Germany, 04/12/2008 14:30
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".. and funds to pay medical staff."
Yeah right, no problem producing receipts for all payments I presume.
SADC are responsible for the plight Zimbabwe is now in. They have time and time again thrown their support behind Mugabe, so let SADC sort out this problem.
It seems interference from the racist west is welcome when African leaders bring about disasters.
- Frank, Home Counties, England, 04/12/2008 13:28
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Bump off Mugabe first, and then help them.
- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 04/12/2008 13:25
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Sorry, cant help. You dont have any oil.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants, 04/12/2008 13:03
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Adam,Harrow, O come on Adam the ordinary person in the street are victims of Mugabe don't you think thay suffering enough,and you wont to punish them,thay have no voice,thay cant get rid of that evil man.Mugabe will still be living his life of luxury.I find your posting outrageous in its naivety and heartlessness.
- Kev, London, 04/12/2008 13:03
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It should be given, full stop. It would be a toe in the door for further direct aid and gradually bring change.
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 04/12/2008 12:37
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It should only be provided on the basis that Mugabe and his clan leave Zimbabwe
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 04/12/2008 11:31
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