IOM and the non-governmental organization (NGO) Americares will
today donate medicines and nutritional supplements valued at over
USD 500,000 to the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare in
Zimbabwe. The donation will be delivered at two health institutions
- Harare Central Hospital and Mutare Provincial Hospital -
recommended by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare.

The donation includes antibiotics, topical antiseptics, a
variety of analgesics, nutrition supplements and medical supplies,
including critical intravenous solutions in order to provide
treatment and protection from diseases. It will help people
suffering from acute infections, injuries, chronic diseases, as
well as provide pre-natal vitamins for pregnant women. Additionally
the consignment includes hygiene items to help stem the spread of
water-borne diseases such as cholera. Harare and Mutare were among
the cities most affected by the cholera outbreak that hit Zimbabwe
between August 2008 and July 2009, killing 4,288 people out of
nearly 99,000 with the disease across the country.

"IOM is grateful for the generous support from Americares in
delivering critically needed medicine and nutritional supplies to
those who need it most," said Marcelo Pisani, IOM Zimbabwe Chief of
Mission. "IOM has a long standing commitment to improvements in the
health delivery system and we hope this donation will go a long way
towards reducing suffering, restoring health and saving lives at
the two health care institutions," he added. The donation will also
ensure that vulnerable populations in the areas have better
prospects for accessing quality health care.

IOM and Americares have a long standing global agreement for
receiving, distributing and dispensing gift-in-kind medicine and
supplies to organizations and health care institutions serving
vulnerable and underserved populations around the globe.

The donation today is part of an IOM - Americares partnership to
improve health services in Zimbabwe that have in the past been
adversely affected by a number of challenges, including the exodus
of skilled health professionals and lack of adequate medicine. The
NGO similarly provided medical supplies to IOM to donate last year
during the height of the cholera crisis, assisting health centres
and clinics serving mobile and vulnerable communities and border
areas. It has been helping the people of Zimbabwe for more than a
decade. Since 1997, Americares has delivered more than USD 25
million in humanitarian, disaster, medical and nutritional aid to
Zimbabwe.

For further information, please contact:

Judith Chinamaringa

IOM Zimbabwe

Tel: +263 4 33 50 48

Email: "mailto:JChinamaringa@iom.int">JChinamaringa@iom.int