In the face of the increasingly dramatic spread of cholera in Zimbabwe, Welthungerhilfe is expanding its emergency aid measures. 15,500 people are already infected nationwide. It's estimated that this figure may rise to 60,000.
With an additional 50,000 euros Welthungerhilfe aims to boost its activities in supplying locals with clean drinking water and improving hygiene.
"We have to act quickly," warns Peter Hinn, Welthungerhilfe's Regional Director for Zimbabwe in Harare. "If the source of the epidemic here in Zimbabwe isn't dried up, the cholera will spread over the borders. Then people in neighbouring countries like South Africa und Botswana will be at risk. People have already been treated for cholera in border towns."
Already back in July Welthungerhilfe set up a special water emergency aid team. The team distributed disinfectants to the populace, delivered water pumps, set up drinking water tanks and provided hygiene awareness. In rural areas in particular, the lack of clean water and functioning sewage systems due to the ongoing collapse of infrastructure over recent years has resulted in acute problems.
In addition to emergency aid, Welthungerhilfe is therefore also repairing water supplies in key places such as schools and hospitals. "We can stop future epidemics if more people are able to supply themselves with clean water on a long-term basis and if functioning sanitary installations are available," stresses Peter Hinn. With the help of EU funding (ECHO), Welthungerhilfe has already rehabilitated 143 water systems in clinics. Furthermore, the organisation had built or restored around 4,000 municipal wells across the country in the space of the last five years.