UNICEF provides funding to help control cholera epidemic

With a cholera death toll in Zimbabwe's Masvingo province rising to 19, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has provided US $210,000 to the minstry of health for urgent measures to control the spread of the epidemic.

Since August, 400 people have been affected by the waterborne disease, which is spread by poor sanitation.

The death toll for the epidemic, which is centred in the remote Zaka and Bikita districts, rose from 10 to 19 in one week after nine people died last weekend.

A statement from UNICEF said the funds would be used to bring in epidemiologists within the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to strengthen cholera control activities, including awareness programmes.

UNICEF would also provide five water bowsers and environmental disinfectants to improve access to safe water.

"These efforts will go a long way towards controlling the epidemic and ensuring that the epidemic does not spread to neighbouring districts," said Dr Festo Kavishe, the UNICEF representative in Zimbabwe.

The epidemic comes as overstretched aid organisations struggle with the impact of food shortages affecting up to six million people in Zimbabwe. Health officials have warned that poor nutrition complicates conditions like cholera and HIV/AIDS, making recovery more difficult.

UNICEF has appealed for US $7.8 million in emergency funding for health, nutrition, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS and education programmes for the worst-affected children in Zimbabwe.