Zimbabwe update: Precautions taken aganist cholera

SOS Children's Villages Zimbabwe has taken further precautions in light of the ongoing cholera epidemic.

Staff will distribute essential supplies to beneficiaries of the Family Strengthening Programmes and to SOS Children's Village households in their continuing efforts to prevent the spread of cholera.

A total of 774 people have died in the cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe and the figures are rising daily according to the United Nations' World Health Organisation (WHO).

Supplies include:

• 140 000 water purification tablets
• 4 500 x jerry cans
• 4 500 x bars of soap
• 45 x cholera posters

The majority of these items will be distributed to households partnering with SOS Family Strengthening Programmes in impoverished communities in Harare, Bulawayo and Bindura, where, in total, SOS Children's Villages Zimbabwe supports 3,500 families.

In Harare, the distribution will take place in Budiriro. Budiriro has, to date, reported approximately 50% of the reported cases of cholera in Zimbabwe's outbreak according to World Health Organisation figures.

In addition, Médecins Sans Frontières have recommended that medical supplies be delivered to the three SOS Children's Villages. These supplies are comprehensive contingency kits which include intravenous fluids, cannulas, oral re-hydration solution, zinc oxide tape, skin disinfectant (iodine), HTH-chlorine and gloves.

Gary Birditt, Director of SOS Children's Villages Zimbabwe says, "With the level of activity and resources already in place, my view is that SOS Children's Villages Zimbabwe is working well with and complementing the activities of UNICEF by assisting affected communities through our Family Strengthening activities. In the three SOS Children's Villages, preparedness is good with a high level of awareness".

Children closely monitored

In the Children's Villages, SOS mothers and staff constantly monitor the children and youths. One SOS mother from Harare says: "I fetch water from the borehole and boil it first before drinking. I always remind the children to flush the toilet and clean their hands with soap after using the toilet. I also ensure that fruits and vegetables are washed thoroughly. I cook food properly and ensure that all children eat it whilst it's still hot. If not, I ensure that the food is well covered and refrigerated. I encourage children not to shake hands and I also spray flies in the home."

Similarly, another SOS mother from the SOS Children's Village in Bulawayo, says, "We always emphasise the importance of hygiene…like washing hands after using the toilet, and washing hands before handling food. We also boil water, eat hot foods and disinfect all water that we use for cleaning utensils. We try by all means to ensure that the environment we live in is clean and hygienic. We start by teaching children about cholera - what causes cholera, how to prevent it, and so forth. We also boil all drinking water. We make sure food is thoroughly cooked and we eat it while still hot."

With the combination of high awareness and precautionary measures, children, SOS mothers and staff remain free from infection by cholera.

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