Zimbabwe: Children Need Urgent Assistance
Zimbabwe is experiencing an unprecedented cholera outbreak that has claimed more than 2,000 lives over the last four months. The outbreak has been aggravated by the collapse of social services in the country, and is the tip of the iceberg of Zimbabwe’s deep humanitarian crisis.
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“More than ever before, all stakeholders must put children at the forefront of their collective agenda.” UNICEF Executive Director
Ann M. Veneman
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The country’s economy is crumbling, with the highest inflation rate in the world at 231 million percent. Over half the population is receiving food aid, health centres have closed, and when the school term starts there is no guarantee that there will be enough teachers.
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One-year-old Tanya Munzhelele is being treated with intravenous fluids to help her recover from cholera.
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UNICEF is gravely concerned about the impact of the crisis on Zimbabwe’s children and has been responding with urgent assistance. We are working to ensure minimal loss of life to the outbreak — cholera is a waterborne disease that is not only preventable, but curable. UNICEF is providing vital support and equipment to cholera treatment centres, and safe water and water-purification tablets to affected communities. In the coming months, UNICEF will support the drilling of an additional 100 boreholes in areas in need of water.
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A girl carries containers filled with safe water provided by UNICEF in Budiriro, outside Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Orphans and other vulnerable children in Zimbabwe are increasingly at risk of malnutrition, lack of opportunities to go to school, and lack of health care. UNICEF is helping over 250,000 orphans and vulnerable children to meet their health and education needs, and has been providing 70 percent of the country’s essential medicines.
UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman visited Zimbabwe in January and called for urgent action to protect the country’s children, stating: “More than ever before, all stakeholders must put children at the forefront of their collective agenda.”
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UNICEF Canada raises funds for emergencies based on country needs. Should the total contributions exceed the funding needs for a certain emergency, the funds received will be reallocated to other UNICEF emergency programmes where the need is greatest.