Thursday, December 11, 2008

Zimbabwe declared national emergency over cholera outbreak

Last week Zimbabwe declared a national emergency due to a recent cholera epidemic. The Minister of
Health, David Parirenyatwa, appealed for money to pay for food, drugs, hospital equipment and salaries
for doctors and nurses.
Zimbabwe declared national emergency over cholera outbreak

The outbreak began in August and was caused by lack of water treatment and broken sewage pipes.
According to the World Health Organization, the death toll in Zimbabwe’s cholera epidemic has risen
to 775, with 16,141 suspected cases reported. Cholera has spread to 50 towns and cities across Zimbabwe.

The European Commission said it would provide more than $12 million for drugs and clean water, and the International Red Cross said it would release more funds to help deal with cholera. Zimbabwe is suffering from the world's highest inflation, and Zimbabweans face daily shortages of food and basic necessities.