Mercy Corps Ramps up Response to Cholera Outbreak in Zimbabwe Amid Rising Cases and Funding Constraints

31 October 2023

Zimbabwe is currently grappling with a relentless cholera outbreak that has led to more than 100 deaths and almost 6,000 suspected infections since February 2023. Suspected and confirmed cases have surfaced in 43 districts, including the capital city, Harare, and have spread across all 10 provinces. 

This outbreak is the most severe cholera crisis in Zimbabwe since the 2008 epidemic, which resulted in approximately 4,000 deaths.

Mercy Corps is actively working to improve access to safe drinking water in Buhera by rehabilitating boreholes and improving communal water points. To date, 134 boreholes have been rehabilitated.

Mercy Corps Country Director for Zimbabwe, Mildred Makore, says:

“Despite a significant decline in cases from July to August, we now witness a worrying spike of cholera cases, particularly among women and children. In Manicaland, many people have to use crowded water facilities, while others must rely on unsafe wells and rivers for drinking water, putting them at further risk.

“The government, in collaboration with health and humanitarian organizations, has intensified efforts to combat the cholera outbreak. Supporting these actions is crucial for effective epidemic control. In a challenging economic environment marked by high inflation, failure to promptly contain the outbreak poses significant risks due to poor sanitation and limited access to clean water, increasing the infection risk. Clean water, timely healthcare support and hygiene education are our key defenses against this threat.

“We are calling on donors to increase their financial support to stop the spread, save lives, and prevent a repeat of the catastrophic epidemic we witnessed in 2008. We must ensure that adequate investments are made to improve living conditions and strengthen community resilience to prevent future deadly cholera and other disease outbreaks."  

 

Mercy Corps has been working in Zimbabwe since 2002, improving access to quality drinking water and sanitation services and environmental hygiene at community and household levels. Our teams are supporting agricultural development and improving access to safe water in urban and rural areas, and building long-term resilience to climate and economic shocks and stresses.

 

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