Zimbabwe crisis
Esnath Tongoona, 18, with her six month old baby, waiting for the food distribution Photo: Caroline Gluck/OxfamGB
In late 2009, Oxfam Australia responsed to a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, as well as chronic food shortages.
Oxfam responded with a water and sanitation program throughout the country. As the harvest was so poor in 2009, we also extended our food program in Binga, northern Zimbabwe, to assist over 500 households.
What we did
Two of my children have already died. How am I supposed to manage? People have been eating nuts, but that is now almost gone.
– Nkosana Mudhindi, a Zimbabwean father.
Oxfam worked with local communities to continue educating people on good hygiene and sanitation in preparation for the rainy season. We are worked with local government to provide emergency rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure to prevent and respond to any further cholera outbreaks.
A young boy on a drip at Budiriro Cholera Clinic. Photo: Robin Hammond/OxfamGB
Towards the end of 2009 we made a commitment to:
- Expand our reach to around 250,000 hungry people and to distribute vital drought-resistant seed to 16,000 households
- Provide soap, hygiene education, disinfectant and life-saving clean water
- Provide extra support for existing partners to cope with chronic food shortages
How you can help
Our Zimbabwe emergency response has now closed. However, you can help us respond to future emergencies like this, by becoming an Emergency 365 regular donor
Find out more
Read more about our work in Zimbabwe.
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