More than 700 people have already died and 15,000 have been infected. The epidemic was triggered by years of neglect of the country’s water systems, resulting in open sewage running through some townships. Nearly half the deaths have been recorded in the capital Harare.
An economic meltdown in Zimbabwe has left the country’s health system ill-prepared to cope with the outbreak, which it once would have prevented or treated easily. The crisis is spilling into South Africa where scores of people have crossed the border seeking help.
Almost 500 cholera cases have been detected in South Africa so far.
Doctors of the World is part of a coalition of health partners, including the World Health Organization, that has established a co-ordinated response to help those who are suffering from this killer disease.
Doctors of the World has been in Chipinge, Zimbabwe since 2004 working to treat and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
