HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE STILL GRAVE, UN CAUTIONS

With not enough food to feed all 12.5 million Zimbabweans and funding requirements to provide urgently-needed aid only half met, the United Nations humanitarian arm today warned that the situation in the Southern African nation remains acute.

Even with commercial imports, there will be a 180,000 ton cereal deficit for 2009-2010, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

According to an assessment by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and Zimbabwean Government, only 1.4 million tons of cereal will be available domestically, compared to the more than 2 million needed.

Even assuming that 500,000 tons will be imported, there will still be a significant gap, OCHA warned.

The FAO-WFP assessment found that in spite of increased agricultural production this year, with the maize crop to have more than doubled, high food insecurity persists in Zimbabwe.
This year's abundant rainfall has resulted in the amount of maize harvested – 1.14 metric tons – recording a 130 per cent increase over 2008.
But study warned that this winter's wheat harvest is only expected to yield 12,000 tons, the lowest ever, due to the high cost of fertilizers and seeds, farmers' lack of funds and the unreliable electricity supply for irrigation.
Some 600,000 households will also be receiving agricultural help – supplied by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and funded by 10 donors – in the form of seeds, legumes and fertilizer, OCHA said today.

FAO suggested that additional resources be channeled into providing top-dressing fertilizer, which is needed later than at seed planting, but cautioned that it must reach farmers before the end of this November.

Only 47 per cent of the $718 million needed to assist Zimbabwe, less than half has been committed to date, OCHA noted.

The funds are intended to boost access to clean water for 6 million people, feed nearly 3 million people and assist 1.5 million children in getting educations.

Currently, 22,000 children under the age of five in Zimbabwe are in need of being treated for severe acute malnutrition, while maternal and child under-nutrition is largely responsible for over 12,000 deaths, or one-third, of all deaths of all under-five children.

OCHA reported today that while no cholera cases or deaths from the disease have been reported in the country since early last month, nearly10,000 cumulative cases and over 4,200 deaths have occurred.

Aid agencies have been preparing for another outbreak by pre-positioning emergency kits around the country.
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Clinton in South Africa

Hillary Clinton must support African efforts to address governance and post-conflict rebuilding, says ActionAid

ActionAid is calling on Hilary Clinton to work with African leaders to help restore the fragile democratic systems in neighbouring countries.

"We are calling on Secretary of State Clinton to take a strong stand in support of human rights and the rule of law in the region," said Njeri Mwangi Kinyoho, ActionAid’s policy manager in East and Southern Africa.

The US needs to help people rebuild their lives after years of sanctions and political infighting that have brought countries like Zimbabwe to the brink of economic collapse.

"In Zimbabwe we are witnessing a return to normal life. People are beginning to have hope and the coalition government is really trying its best to see this through. The US needs to look at the situation again and help to rebuild a country that has been shattered by bad politics," she added.

"Zimbabwe’s path of national reconciliation needs all the support it can get to guard against another bout of violence derailing reforms that are currently underway. The US should increase its assistance to support reconciliation and development."

Hilary Clinton’s visit to South Africa comes at a time when the government is facing huge strikes, threatening to derail the new administration, along with an influx of economic migrants.

"In South Africa we need the Obama government to support the African Union Governance Project, holding African governments accountable to their citizens and ensuring basic services to the poor. This would

put a stop to the problems crippling service delivery prompting the massive strikes," said Zanele Twala ActionAid South Africa Country Director.

MORE MUST BE DONE TO FIGHT ZIMBABWE CHOLERA OUTBREAK – UN

MORE MUST BE DONE TO FIGHT ZIMBABWE CHOLERA OUTBREAK – UN
New York, Jun 5 2009 3:00PM
Although the number of new cholera cases in Zimbabwe is reportedly on a downward trend, greater efforts are needed to combat the outbreak and address the source of the problem, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) said today.

According to OCHA, local medical authorities had reported that the number of new cases was down in most provinces, with no new deaths reported, but noted that new cases are still being reported in Harare, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.

Stepped up efforts are needed in areas which are still reporting high numbers of new cases, and the problem of the lack of safe water and sanitation facilities – the main cause of the epidemic – has yet to be tackled in most parts of the Southern African nation, the Office said.

It also reported that this year's grain production has nearly tripled over the previous harvest, with an estimated 1.5 million metric tons of grain having been produced, compared with about 564,000 metric tons harvested in 2007-2008.

The increased yield will, however, not meet the country's food requirements, OCHA warned, noting that a cereal shortfall of 670,000 metric tons will have to be imported.

The second term of Zimbabwe's school year started last month, but the situation is still precarious, it stressed, calling for teachers' conditions of service, especially remuneration, to be addressed to ensure that they continue working.

Almost half-way through 2009, the Consolidated Appeal for Zimbabwe remains under-funded with only 36 per cent of the required $718 million covered, OCHA said. But with requirements outstripping the funds previously sought, a revised appeal was launched this week for an additional $168 to help some 6 million people in need.
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NEARLY $720 MILLION SOUGHT FOR ZIMBABWE AID EFFORTS – UN

NEARLY $720 MILLION SOUGHT FOR ZIMBABWE AID EFFORTS – UN
New York, Jun 1 2009 2:00PM
Aid agencies in Zimbabwe today issued an appeal for $718 million to meet the humanitarian needs of some 6 million people in the southern African nation, an increase of $168 million from the original appeal launched last November, the United Nations announced.

The country has witnessed a sharp decline in the provision of basic services, considered to be one of the root causes of the spread of cholera which has infected nearly 100,000 people and claimed nearly 4,280 lives to date, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) said.

The collapse of basic social services, combined with food insecurity and hyperinflation, has left 6 million people in need of humanitarian aid.

In November 2008, agencies had requested some $550 million to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe, of which only $246 million has been received. Those funds have helped save lives by containing the cholera outbreak, providing food and agricultural assistance to vulnerable populations, and supporting vital social services including health, water and education.

Aid requirements have, however, outstripped the funds sought previously, OCHA added.

A UN inter-agency mission that visited Zimbabwe in February stressed that the country's humanitarian crisis remains grave, and urged both the Government and the international community to support the strengthening of aid efforts.

"We hope that donors will continue to be generous to the people of Zimbabwe who need help to save and rebuild their lives after years of adversity," <"http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/VDUX-7SLKFF?OpenDocument&cc=zwe">said Catherine Bragg, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator.

Ms. Bragg, who led the assessment mission in February, added that adequate support now for a crucial sector such as agriculture will ensure that those who are currently dependent on food aid will be able to feed themselves next year.

In addition to resources to effectively contain the cholera outbreak and help improve food security, funds are also needed to enhance health care and repair water and sewage systems.

According to OCHA, 6 million people in Zimbabwe have limited or no access to safe water and sanitation in rural and urban areas. Also, some 1.3 million Zimbabweans are infected with HIV/AIDS, including 133,000 children under the age of 14. There are also 1.5 million orphaned and vulnerable children, including over 100,000 child-headed households, and thousands who remain internally displaced.

Aid agencies are concerned that unless conditions change, outbreaks of water-borne diseases at the onset of the next rainy season could lead to new cholera cases, and a serious humanitarian crisis, OCHA stated.
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World Bank To Give Zimbabwe $22 Million Grant.

"The World Bank will soon make its first grant to Zimbabwe since the country's politicians agreed to a power-sharing deal, but said on Monday it would provide loans only after arrears were cleared. World Bank Regional Executive Director Toga Gayewea McIntosh said the $22 million grant should be available in the next few weeks and that small grants would be offered for now...." [Reuters (5/18)/Factiva]

AFP adds that "...McIntosh said the Bank would be prepared to discuss a more 'substantial amount of money' if Zimbabwe made progress toward clearing its arrears. 'The first task is to see how Zimbabwe can get on with debt reduction,' he said.... Zimbabwe owes the World Bank and the African Development Bank $1.4 billion, the Paris Club $3 billion, while external debt is currently $5 billion, according to Finance Minister Tendai Biti.... Biti said technical assistance from the Bank would help Zimbabwe repair its crumbling infrastructure...." [Agence France Presse (5/18)/Factiva]

Zimbabwe: Drop Politically Motivated Charges Against Activists

(Johannesburg) - The authorities in Zimbabwe should immediately free and drop criminal charges against 15 human rights activists and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party members who were ordered back into custody on May 5, Human Rights Watch said today.

Human Rights Watch said that the cases were politically motivated. All had been abducted in late 2008 by officials loyal to the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), a party to Zimbabwe's power-sharing administration with the MDC. On May 5, a magistrate in Harare formally charged the 15 with various acts of banditry and trying to recruit people for training in banditry, sabotage and insurgency, and revoked their bail. Human Rights Watch is deeply concerned that the "evidence" filed to support these charges was extracted under torture.

"Those who brought these outrageous charges should quickly drop them," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "This continued persecution makes it pretty clear that ZANU-PF is trying to undermine the new power-sharing administration and is an example of Zimbabwe's overall lack of progress in respecting the rule of law and basic rights."

Zimbabwe's prosecuting authorities and key police and prison units remain under ZANU-PF control. Following their abduction in 2008, the 15 were held in secret detention for periods ranging from two to eight weeks before being handed over to the police. None of them was brought to court within 48 hours of arrest, as required by Zimbabwe law. The 15 were only granted restricted bail in February and March 2009 pending indictment and trial.

Human Rights Watch believes that these prosecutions are a politically motivated attempt by ZANU-PF to pressure the MDC into making concessions that will further weaken its power within the government. Human Rights Watch has already urged the Zimbabwe authorities to disclose immediately the whereabouts of seven "disappeared" activists who were abducted by suspected state agents in late 2008 and who are still missing (see below).

Lawyers representing the activists who were charged on May 5 have also recorded testimony from each of them alleging that they were tortured while in police custody. The state authorities have not investigated the allegations, let alone arrested or prosecuted the perpetrators, even though they were named in the testimony. Torture is a crime both in Zimbabwe and international law, and evidence obtained through the use of torture is not admissible in a Zimbabwean court.

"The new government in Harare will only attract much-needed international financial support when the authorities demonstrate an unambiguous commitment to the rule of law and a willingness to prosecute those who abuse the law for political ends," said Gagnon. "Releasing the 15 activists and dropping all charges against them would be a start. Instead, ZANU-PF continues to use them as pawns in its political games."

Background on the abductions

The 15 activists are: Jestina Mukoko, Chris Dhlamini, Anderson Shadreck Manyere, Ghandi Mudzingwa, Concillia Chinanzvavana, Emmanuel Chinanzvavana, Violet Mupfuranhehwe, Collen Mutemagawu, Mapfumo Garutsa, Chinoto Mukwezaremba Zulu, Zacharia Nkomo, Audrey Zimbudzana, Regis Mujeyi, Broderick Takawira, and Fidelis Chiramba.

The 15 were part of a group of 43 activists arbitrarily arrested by state security forces from October to December 2008. Police initially denied holding them, but on December 22 lawyers were tipped off that 32 of them were being held in various police stations in the capital, Harare.

Seven are still missing and unaccounted for: Gwenzi Kahiya, Ephraim Mabeka, Lovemore Machokoto, Charles Muza, Edmore Vangirayi, Graham Matehwa, and Peter Munyanyi.

Others among the 43 have been freed at various points in 2009, including a 2-year-old child. Several still have charges pending and some also allege that they were tortured in custody.

Zimbabwe: Reform Justice System

(Johannesburg) - Zimbabwe's new inclusive government should carry out comprehensive justice reforms without delay to ensure accountability for past abuses, Human Rights Watch said today. The organization noted that the one-year anniversary is approaching for the controversial elections, on March 29, 2008, that ultimately resulted in the new government.

On March 30, leaders of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) are to meet to consider an economic recovery aid package for Zimbabwe. Human Rights Watch called on SADC members to take the opportunity to press Zimbabwe's government to demonstrate its commitment to human rights reforms before SADC releases non-humanitarian development aid.

"The government of Zimbabwe should take clear action toward restoring the rule of law and respect for human rights before the international community releases longer-term development aid," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "There is no excuse for further delay."

In the aftermath of the general elections, President Robert Mugabe's ruling party, Zimbabwe National African Union (ZANU-PF), carried out a campaign of violence against the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in which almost 200 MDC activists were killed, some 5,000 were tortured, and more than 10,000 required medical treatment for injuries.

Since signing a power-sharing agreement on September 15, Zimbabwe's leaders have not demonstrated the political will to carry out necessary human rights reforms and restore the rule of law in Zimbabwe.

Not one perpetrator of the abuses - whether police, military, war veteran or ZANU-PF official - has been held to account. The authorities have not provided victims of abuses with effective remedies, as required by international law, including judicial redress and other forms of reparation.

"Zimbabwe's political situation remains precarious, but unless the new power-sharing government promptly brings perpetrators of abuses to account and makes clear that no further abuses will be tolerated, the country risks sliding back to possibly even greater political turmoil," said Gagnon.

Human Rights Watch urged SADC leaders to press the Zimbabwe authorities to set a specific timeline for tangible progress on key human rights reforms. Actions that can be undertaken immediately and that will help demonstrate commitment to justice and human rights include:

• Release the photojournalist Shadrek Andreson Manyere; Chris Dhlamini, the MDC security chief; Ghandi Mudzingwa, former aide to MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai; and the remaining three political detainees;
• Disclose the whereabouts of seven other "disappeared" persons whose whereabouts to date remain unknown: Gwenzi Kahiya, Ephraim Mabeka, Lovemore Machokoto, Charles Muza, Edmore Vangirayi, Graham Matehwa, and Peter Munyanyi;
• Investigate political violence and human rights abuses that followed the 2008 elections and prosecute perpetrators of those abuses;
• Ensure access to appropriate judicial remedies to victims of abuses and respect victims' rights to truth, justice, and reparation;
• Reform media laws to ensure media freedom and access to Zimbabwe for local and foreign journalists and media organizations;
• Consult with a broad section of the population on how to reorganize the criminal justice system to meet internationally recognized human rights standards.

Human Rights Watch also urged the transitional government of national unity in Zimbabwe to create the necessary conditions to hold internationally recognized free and fair elections within 24 months.

"SADC leaders should ensure that Zimbabwe has taken concrete and verifiable steps on justice and accountability reforms before they adopt an economic recovery aid package for the country," Gagnon said. "Human rights reform and rule of law are essential for economic recovery and restoration of investor confidence."

ZIMBABWE’S CHOLERA DECLINING BUT CONTINUED VIGILANCE VITAL, SAYS UN HEALTH AGENCY

While noting an overall downward trend in the number of cholera cases and deaths in Zimbabwe over the last two months, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today urged continued vigilance, citing the very real risk of the outbreak restarting in some areas.

According to an update issued today by the agency, some 2,076 cases were reported in the week ending 14 March, which, although still high, is down from 3,812 cases in the week prior and over 8,000 cases per week at the beginning of February.

In addition, the weekly Case Fatality Rate has decreased from its peak of near 6 per cent in January and stood at 2.3 per cent for the week ending 14 March.

"While data collection and verification remain a challenge throughout the country with the effect that weekly statistics are not always accurate or complete, the overall trend over the last two months is of a decreasing number of cases and deaths," WHO said.

As of 17 March, 91,164 cases of the water-borne disease have been reported with 4,037 deaths since the country's worst-ever outbreak began in last August.

WHO states that while cases have decreased in all provinces, they are increasing again in and around the capital, Harare.

"The risk of the outbreak restarting in those areas of the country is real," notes the agency. "The need to remain vigilant and to continue and reinforce the control measures already in place is paramount."

WHO and its Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) partners have a sizeable team working out of the national Cholera Command and Control Centre in Harare.

Their efforts, along with partner UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), have been vital in tackling the outbreak in the Southern African nation, which has a dilapidated water and sanitation infrastructure and a weak health system.
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NEW UN ONLINE TOOL SHOWS FOOD PRICES IN POOR COUNTRIES HAVE YET TO FALL

NEW UN ONLINE TOOL SHOWS FOOD PRICES IN POOR COUNTRIES HAVE YET TO FALL
New York, Mar 19 2009 9:00AM

A new online database of staple food prices on national markets in 55 developing countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe shows that local prices have not fallen the way they have at the global level, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.

The "National Basic Food Prices Data and Analysis Tool," developed by FAO as part of its response to high food prices, shows the prices of different food commodities in local currencies or dollars and local measurements as well as standard weights.

The interactive tool allows for price comparisons between domestic and international markets, between different markets in the same country, as well as between countries.

"While food prices have fallen internationally, as indicated by the FAO food price index, this tool shows that in developing countries they have not fallen so fast, or at all," said Liliana Balbi, a senior economist with FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System.

"The easy-to-use database will be an invaluable source of information for policy and decision-makers in agricultural production and trade, development and also humanitarian work."

FAO noted that a rise in food prices hits the poor the hardest given that the share of food in their total expenditures is much higher than that of wealthier populations. While food represents about 10-20 per cent of consumer spending in industrialised nations, it can be as much as 60-80 per cent in developing countries.

Depending on available funds, FAO plans to add new countries and series to the database, which has benefited from a financial contribution from Spain under the FAO Initiative on Soaring Food Prices.

According to the agency, 963 million people or around 15 per cent of the world's population are currently suffering from hunger and malnutrition.
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Morgan Tsvangirai's Wife Susan is Killed in a Car Crash

Susan Tsvangirai was killed today in a car crash whilst traveling with her husband who also sustained minor injuries in the accident on the way to their home south of Harare. By all accounts her death will be a great loss to her husband, children and people of Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe and his wife have been to visit him in hospital. It can only be hoped that this was not a case of fowl play for the sake of peace and stability in the country.

NUMBER OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY CHOLERA REACHES 88,000 IN ZIMBABWE, SAYS UN

NUMBER OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY CHOLERA REACHES 88,000 IN ZIMBABWE, SAYS UN
New York, Mar 6 2009 5:00PM

Some 88,000 people have now been affected by cholera in Zimbabwe, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) announced today, noting that the number of new cases reported weekly is dropping.

At the start of the year, as many as 8,000 new cases were being reported per week at the national level, but over the past few weeks, that number has been slashed by half.

According to a joint update by the WHO and the Government of Zimbabwe, 395 new cases and 18 deaths were reported yesterday.

Nearly 4,000 people have died from the disease, which is caused by contaminated food or water, the agency said.

But WHO cautioned that the need to remain alert continues since cholera continues to claim lives in the Southern African nation on a daily basis. It also warned that the start of the rainy season could also trigger increased cases of the disease.
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UN ASSESSMENT TEAM CALLS FOR STRENGTHENING AID EFFORTS IN ZIMBABWE

UN ASSESSMENT TEAM CALLS FOR STRENGTHENING AID EFFORTS IN ZIMBABWE
New York, Feb 26 2009 11:00AM

A United Nations inter-agency mission to Zimbabwe today stressed that the country's humanitarian crisis remains grave, and urged both the Government and the international community to support the strengthening of aid efforts.

The team, led by UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Catherine Bragg, visited the southern African nation from 21 to 25 February to assess responses to, among other things, a food emergency in which up to seven million people need food aid and a cholera epidemic, which has infected some 83,000 people and already claimed more than 3,800 lives.

"Despite tremendous efforts by both the Government and the humanitarian community in Zimbabwe to contain the cholera epidemic, major challenges remain," Ms. Bragg said in a news release issued at the end of the visit.

While noting the international community's generosity to the people of Zimbabwe so far, the team highlighted the need for further resources in the coming months. This includes resources to effectively contain the country's worst-ever cholera outbreak, including through public health outreach and repairing water and sewage systems.

Additional resources will also be crucial for food aid and to help improve food security, noted the team, which included representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

"We have to ensure farmers have all the agriculture inputs they need for the next planting season, which begins in September. If we do not act now, we could end up next year with a situation similar to what we have today," Ms. Bragg said.

While in Harare, the mission met with Government officials, including President Robert Mugabe, who expressed his appreciation for the support Zimbabwe has been receiving from the humanitarian community, and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Mr. Tsvangirai was sworn in earlier this month as Prime Minister in a unity government with President Mugabe, following months of political tensions after disputed presidential elections last March.

The mission stressed that the welfare of the people was largely the responsibility of the Government of Zimbabwe. "We trust that the all-inclusive government will quickly take the necessary steps to address the fundamentals of governance that would allow stability and economic recovery," it stated.
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BAN CALLS FOR RELEASE OF ZIMBABWE ACTIVISTS

BAN CALLS FOR RELEASE OF ZIMBABWE ACTIVISTS
New York, Feb 25 2009 5:00PM

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the Government of Zimbabwe to free detained opposition activists and human rights defenders, while pledging the continued support of the United Nations as the country tackles the myriad of challenges it faces.

"I hope that these people will be freed as soon as possible," Mr. Ban told a joint news conference with South African President Kgalema Motlanthe in Pretoria.

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in earlier this month as Prime Minister in a unity government with President Robert Mugabe, following months of political tensions after disputed presidential elections last March.

Welcoming the recent inauguration of the new Government of National Unity, Mr. Ban noted that the partnership between the country's parties will need to be nurtured.

"Although the United Nations has no direct mandate to help implement the Agreement reached between the parties, we are ready to ensure that the enormous challenges confronting the Zimbabwean people are effectively addressed," said Mr. Ban.

The UN will do all it can, in particular, to support Zimbabwe tackle its worst-ever cholera epidemic, which has already claimed thousands of lives, he added. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 83,000 people have become sick and more than 3,800 have died since the outbreak began last August.

A UN humanitarian mission to Zimbabwe, led by Deputy UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Catherine Bragg has just concluded its mission to the country and reports that the humanitarian needs there remain grave, a spokesperson for the world body said today.

According to the mission, there are areas where concerted efforts have led to a declining number of new infections, but there are many places which have not been reached with the required services, and where cholera continues to spread.

The team, which also included WHO, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP), said that food security is also a major issue, with a growing number of households reducing the number of meals they have per day. There will be a need for continued food assistance throughout 2009, the scale of which will be determined by upcoming assessments.

Farmers must obtain all the agriculture inputs they need for the next planting season, which begins in September and October. Otherwise, next year could be similar to this year, in which seven million people need food aid, the team added.

Mr. Ban told reporters the international community, led by the UN, stands ready to provide the necessary assistance to support the people of Zimbabwe.

"But all these efforts would be better mobilized, would get stronger and more support from the international community if we can see the promise in political and national reconciliation," he added. "The releasing of political prisoners will be important and desirable not only on the humanitarian and human rights front, but also for the national reconciliation process."

Mr. Ban is on his first official visit to South Africa, where he met for almost two hours today with the President and other officials. In addition to Zimbabwe, they discussed a wide range of political issues including Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi and South Africa's role in peacekeeping operations.

The Secretary-General also stressed the leading role played by South Africa in engaging non-industrialized countries on the global threat of climate change.

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UN HUMANITARIAN OFFICIAL CHECKS ON CHOLERA, FOOD PROJECTS IN ZIMBABWE

UN HUMANITARIAN OFFICIAL CHECKS ON CHOLERA, FOOD PROJECTS IN ZIMBABWE
New York, Feb 24 2009 3:00PM

As the cholera toll in Zimbabwe climbs to 83,000 cases, with more than 3,800 deaths, a senior United Nations humanitarian official arrived over the weekend in the country's capital Harare, to assess responses to the epidemic as well as to a food emergency.

Catherine Bragg, Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator and Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, visited a cholera treatment centre outside the city today, accompanied by representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

There were more than 364 cholera treatment centres around the country, WHO noted, adding that efforts were being made to decentralize the cholera command centre, now in Harare, in favour of small command centres across the country to ensure access to people in distant villages.

More than 61 per cent of the deaths were still taking place outside treatment centres, in local communities, which meant that many people still did not have such access, the agency said.

The humanitarian group also visited a food distribution centre and a food warehouse, in a district where 60,000 people out of a total population of 83,000 are receiving food aid for the next two months, until the harvest comes in.

The harvest in the area is expected to be poor due to a combination of factors including drought and shortage of seeds and agricultural inputs.
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