20 December 2008
DECLARING the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe "even more serious" than earlier feared because of the cholera outbreak, the Swedish government, through the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (Sida), last week announced additional funding to support the humanitarian emergency in Zimbabwe.
Sten Rylander, Sweden's Ambassador to Zimbabwe, said the support was their response to the cholera epidemic and formed part of the international donor community's efforts in assisting Zimbabwe.
Sweden contributed an additional SEK20 million (Swedish Crowns) corresponding to US$2,5 million towards the humanitarian emergency in Zimbabwe.
This is in addition to the over SEK90 million already provided in Swedish humanitarian support to Zimbabwe.
The total Swedish government's humanitarian assistance for Zimbabwe in 2008 is SEK 93 million, equivalent to over US$11,5 million. This has been channelled through the UN Consolidated Appeal Process, UN-led financial mechanisms, the Red Cross movement and non-governmental organisations.
"In the midst of social turmoil, political deadlock and economic meltdown, Zimbabwe is currently affected by the largest cholera outbreak in its modern history," Rylander said, appealing to Zimbabwe to work closely with the international community in responding to the humanitarian crisis.
He said it is a priority for any nation to try and protect all its people, adding there was a link between the worsening political situation and the humanitarian crisis.
By December 10, 2008 there were 16 403 cases of cholera and nearly 800 deaths, according to the Office of the Co-ordinator of Humanitarian Assistance, while the World Health Organisation estimates that another 60 000 people were at the risk of being affected.
"The overall fatality rate is well above the 1% of international threshold at about 4,5%," Rylander told a Press conference in Harare. "The situation has been exacerbated by erratic water supplies and a breakdown of the sewage system in most urban areas.
"We are alarmed by the deteriorating humanitarian situation; the loss of lives to cholera is unacceptable. Contrary to other assertions, the cholera pandemic is actually worsening and we in the international community are doing our best to save lives and alleviate suffering guided by the humanitarian imperative of neutrality and impartiality.
"I repeat my appeal to the Zimbabwean government to work closely with the international community to respond to the humanitarian needs. I also take this opportunity to call upon the Zimbabwean government and all political players to end the political deadlock so that the country can move forward and lives can be saved.
"The food situation is also worsening, the joint government, FAO and WFP Crop Food Supply Assessment Mission undertaken in April/May 2008 estimated a cereal deficit of 1,232 million tonnes.
"Given the scale of the foreseen deficit, from January to March 2009 the number of people in need of food is likely to be 5,1 million."
The Swedish allocation will be channeled through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - SEK 5 million, the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) -- SEK 5 million, World Vision Zimbabwe -- SEK 4 620 000, Catholic Development Commission (Cadec) - SEK 4 620 000 and Save the Children Sweden totalling SEK 475 000.
Cadec's project targets more than 10 000 people and aims at enhancing food security of community members with a special focus on child headed households, the chronically ill, orphans, the elderly and school children in Masvingo.
World Vision's project aims at providing emergency water and sanitation assistance to protect the health status of Bulawayo's residents. This project is partly responsible for the lower cholera death toll in Bulawayo.
The Swedish assistance would be useful in addressing the deteriorating sewer system and in arresting the spread of cholera.
IOM aims to respond to the ongoing cholera outbreaks throughout the country with particular focus on border areas and mobile and vulnerable populations.
It plays an important role in protecting border points such as Beitbridge and with the Swedish assistance has established a reception centre at Plumtree, where between 300 and 400 deportees are processed every month.
IOM is working together with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to strengthen the national capacity for preparedness and responding to outbreaks.
The contribution to Unicef is in response to an appeal, made two weeks ago for the immediate needs of children and women affected by the cholera outbreak and collapse of the health and education sectors.
Unicef's Roeland Monasch, said the Swedish support will enable them to continue to deliver water to Harare's high-density areas and water tablets. "Cholera is still not under control," he said.
In Chegutu, where more than 100 people died of cholera inside a week, he said they were trucking in 50 000 litres of water a day.
Read comments. Write your own.
Copyright © 2008 Zimbabwe Standard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
Sweden, always a friend of Africa. The appeal by the Swedish Ambassador for a political settlement should be heed by Mugabe and his cronies. Ambassador Rylander correctly observers the relationship between the deteriorating human crisis and the deadlocked political situation. Sweden has made the decision to put human beings above politics or ideology. The Swedish generosity should now be followed up with calls from SADC/AU for Mugabe to step down!