BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Manicaland Province has received a timely donation of US$774 000 from Japan for the emergency cholera response.
The donation which was made through UNICEF, will specifically target the most vulnerable communities in the province, which bears one of the highest burdens of the disease.
A statement by UNICEF revealed that the grant will provide a comprehensive range of life-saving support in areas such as access to safe water; provision of critical hygiene materials, healthcare, and nutrition; child protection; as well as other essential social services.
His Excellency Mr Shinichi Yamanaka, Japan’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe said, “I hope that our support will allow the most vulnerable people to recover quickly and rebuild their lives. I also hope it will help prevent the further spread of this disease and future outbreaks”.
Speaking on the same grant, Dr Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe said, “we are extremely grateful to the Government of Japan for this support.
“This support exemplifies the commitment of the Government of Japan to the people of Zimbabwe to address the urgent needs of the affected communities and build resilience in the face of public health emergencies.”
The statement further read that, “the newly allocated funding will help the Government of Zimbabwe, UNICEF, and their partners to scale-up the multi-sectoral cholera response in affected areas, prioritising improved support and treatment to people infected by cholera; securing access to safe water with a special emphasis on the rehabilitation of sustainable, climate-resilient boreholes to ensure a lasting supply of safe water; and disseminating messages on cholera prevention and treatment through mass media platforms and interpersonal communication channels.”
Zimbabwe has been grappling with the cholera outbreak since February last year, recording 20,000 cases and over 400 deaths. Manicaland and Harare are the hardest hit provinces, as both account for 64 percent of all cholera cases.
And since the start of the outbreak, UNICEF has been working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and partners to support affected communities, including by: “providing emergency health supplies and medical products to establish more than 50 cholera treatment centres and more than 90 community oral rehydration points in affected areas.
“Providing technical and operational support for the cholera vaccination campaign targeting 2.3 million people in the most affected districts.
“Training more than 2,200 health workers on case management, surveillance, and infection control in treatment facilities.
“Reaching more than 260,000 people with critical water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies.
“And reaching 5 million people with messages on health-and-hygiene measures to prevent cholera and the importance of seeking medical treatment early, particularly for children,” added the statement.
