Vusumuzi Dube
Taboka Tshuma, Sunday News Reporter
UNICEF has commended the Zimbabwean government on his proactive approach that has seen the country being declared cholera-free.
Last week the government declared that Zimbabwe was now cholera-free after having been battling the water borne disease since February 2023.
UNICEF, in a statement, commended the government for its response to this outbreak which included water sanitation, nutrition, hygiene and communication.
The Chief of Communications of OIC Mr John Mokwetsi said; “We recognise the efforts of many national and international partners and the instrumental role played by communities and their leaders in combating cholera UNICEF also extends its gratitude to the donor community for their generous support of the government’s response to cholera.”
Throughout the outbreak, Zimbabwe has been getting support from UNICEF and its partners who provided emergency humanitarian aid including emergency health supplies, technical and operational support for cholera vaccination campaigns and water sanitation.
28 days without any new cholera cases being recorded, marked the end of the disastrous outbreak by the government after 34,550 cases and more than 700 deaths were confirmed in the past one and half year.
Besides the Cholera outbreak being officially over, UNICEF has committed itself to continue supporting the Zimbabwean government through water sanitation, social behavioral change initiatives and hygiene programs to prevent future Cholera outbreaks.
Bongani Ndlovu