IOM has been implementing cholera awareness campaigns with city
health authorities at major transportation hubs in Harare, Bulawayo
and Mutare December 20th through January 10th to promote the
prevention of cholera transmission through the large scale movement
of people during the holiday period.

Campaign activities have included the distribution of
information, education and communication (IEC) materials on cholera
and hygiene promotion, drama presentations and distribution of aqua
tabs. Since the launch of the programme, 150,490 aqua tabs and
66,241 IEC cholera materials have been distributed.

A second cholera awareness and prevention programme has also
been started at the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre (BRSC)
close to the border with South Africa, in cooperation with the
Swedish company Tetra Pak (South Africa.)

Tetra Pak have donated 70,000 liters of water in 1-liter brick
containers to be distributed at the BRSC as part of the prevention
campaign. Each container is printed with recommendations on how to
prevent the spread of the disease.

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a cholera outbreak with more
than 33,579 cases and 1,671 deaths reported nationwide as of 4th
January 2009. The overall case fatality rate is 5.3%, but has
reportedly reached up to 20% to 30% in remote areas without access
to adequate treatment.

IOM is providing support to more than 22 cholera treatment
centres and 16 border points in cooperation with the UN, NGOs and
the government of Zimbabwe.

Water treatment, sewage and health infrastructure devastated by
the country's economic crisis are contributing to spread of the
disease, as are population movements and the onset of the rainy
season. Border areas are at particular risk, due to relatively high
population mobility.

To date, IOM has received funding to combat the cholera outbreak
from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (US$
620,000), the Australian Government Overseas Aid Program (US$
129,702.) The international NGO AmeriCares and Tetra Pak have
provided in-kind contributions.

For further information please contact:

Erin Foster

IOM Harare

Tel: +263 912 572 315

E-mail: "mailto:efoster@iom.int">efoster@iom.int