More must be done to fight Zimbabwe cholera outbreak – UN

Although the number of new cholera cases in Zimbabwe is reportedly on a downward trend, greater efforts are needed to combat the outbreak and address the source of the problem, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said today.

According to OCHA, local medical authorities had reported that the number of new cases was down in most provinces, with no new deaths reported, but noted that new cases are still being reported in Harare, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.

Stepped up efforts are needed in areas which are still reporting high numbers of new cases, and the problem of the lack of safe water and sanitation facilities – the main cause of the epidemic – has yet to be tackled in most parts of the Southern African nation, the Office said.

It also reported that this year’s grain production has nearly tripled over the previous harvest, with an estimated 1.5 million metric tons of grain having been produced, compared with about 564,000 metric tons harvested in 2007-2008.

The increased yield will, however, not meet the country’s food requirements, OCHA warned, noting that a cereal shortfall of 670,000 metric tons will have to be imported.

The second term of Zimbabwe’s school year started last month, but the situation is still precarious, it stressed, calling for teachers’ conditions of service, especially remuneration, to be addressed to ensure that they continue working.

Almost half-way through 2009, the Consolidated Appeal for Zimbabwe remains under-funded with only 36 per cent of the required $718 million covered, OCHA said. But with requirements outstripping the funds previously sought, a revised appeal was launched this week for an additional $168 to help some 6 million people in need.