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Zimbabwe cholera outbreak widens Zimbabwe cholera outbreak widens
(about 4 hours later)
The cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe continues to spread and has now claimed 1,111 lives among 20,581 cases since August, says the UN. Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic continues to spread and has now claimed 1,111 lives among 20,581 cases since August.
The figures included a new outbreak west of the capital Harare, in Chegutu, Mashonaland West, where more than 378 cases and 121 deaths are recorded. Latest UN figures include a new outbreak of hundreds of cases in Chegutu, near the capital Harare, which has been worst hit by the disease.
Figures are up from nearly 1,000 deaths and 18,000 cases earlier this week. Aid agency Oxfam has launched a £4m ($6.2m) appeal to tackle the epidemic and acute food shortage in Zimbabwe.
Aid agency Oxfam has launched a £4m ($6.2m) appeal to tackle the cholera and acute food shortage in Zimbabwe. It comes as the ruling Zanu-PF holds its annual conference, with a minister saying the party is "united".
The disease has spread because of the collapse of health services and water sanitation in Zimbabwe. 'Throwing spanners'
'Devastating' President Robert Mugabe's party is meeting in the small mining town of Bindura, 80km (50 miles) north-west of Harare - following the first-ever loss of its parliamentary majority in elections this year.
"The devastating cholera epidemic continues to spread, with a new outbreak in Chegutu Urban," said a statement from the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha).
Harare remains badly hit by the epidemic with almost three-quarters of the cases in the capital sprouting in the last two weeks, underlining the "intense" cholera transmission rate in the city, added Ocha.
The UN World Health Organization has said the total number of cases could reach 60,000 unless the epidemic is stopped.
The Zimbabwe situation is bad and the worrying thing is that it could get a lot worse Oxfam Cholera lays bare nation's fallIn pictures: In a time of cholera'Stench of death'The Zimbabwe situation is bad and the worrying thing is that it could get a lot worse Oxfam Cholera lays bare nation's fallIn pictures: In a time of cholera'Stench of death'
A week ago Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said the cholera outbreak had been "arrested". He claimed Western powers wanted to use an epidemic as an excuse to invade Zimbabwe and topple him. Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told the BBC World Service's Network Africa programme it would not be a "sing-song" conference.
South Africa has declared most of its northern border with Zimbabwe a disaster area as the disease spreads over with refugees. "You know no party is monolithic and most parties have people with different views and so the conference will listen to the views, even divergent views," he said.
Oxfam spokesman Jon Slater warned the situation in Zimbabwe "could get a lot worse". He also rejected the suggestion there was political deadlock in Zimbabwe, saying an agreement on power-sharing between Zanu-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was "imminent".
"The food shortages now will only get worse as the crops are not grown in this planting season and that will leave many more people hungry in early next year," he said. Both sides have been in negotiations to set up a unity government since September, following disputed presidential elections in March and June.
"That puts people in increased risk of cholera because people who are hungry are more likely to catch the disease because their body is weaker and because they are forced to scavenge for food and have to collect it from dirty places." "The deadlock exists in the minds of those who want there to be a deadlock in Zimbabwe - the handlers of the opposition who want their interests safeguarded," said Mr Ndlovu.
Zimbabwe is also paralysed by political deadlock between President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) over power-sharing negotiations. "We hope no-one from the Western countries and Britain should keep throwing spanners in our efforts to have an inclusive government."
After disputed presidential elections in March and June, both sides agreed to form a unity government. 'Scavenge for food'
But implementation of that deal, reached in September, has floundered over whose supporters would get key ministries. Thursday's updated cholera figures from the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs were up from nearly 1,000 deaths and 18,000 cases earlier this week.
'Botswana claims dismissed' Mr Mugabe has claimed there is an international plot to invade Zimbabwe
There have been growing demands internationally and in the region for Mr Mugabe to step down but South Africa has resisted joining calls for the 84-year-old to quit. Harare remains badly hit with almost three-quarters of cases there sprouting in the last fortnight, underlining the "intense" cholera transmission rate in the city, added the UN.
South African ruling ANC leader Jacob Zuma said in a radio interview there was no reason for sending troops to Zimbabwe. The easily preventable disease has spread because of the collapse of health services and water sanitation in Zimbabwe.
He told South Africa's 702 Talk Radio: "Why military intervention when there is no war? We should be pressurising them to see the light." The UN World Health Organization has said the total number of cases could reach 60,000 unless the epidemic is stopped.
Zimbabwe claimed earlier this week that Botswana, which has called on Mr Mugabe to stand down, was hosting military training camps for MDC rebels. A week ago Mr Mugabe said the outbreak had been "arrested".
It submitted what it claimed was a dossier of evidence to the Southern African Development Community. He claimed Western powers wanted to use an epidemic as an excuse to invade Zimbabwe and topple him.
But the current chairperson of the regional bloc, South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, said on Wednesday: "We never believed that." Oxfam spokesman Jon Slater said on Thursday food shortages would only worsen as crops are not grown amid the epidemic.
"That puts people in increased risk of cholera because people who are hungry are more likely to catch the disease because their body is weaker and because they are forced to scavenge for food and have to collect it from dirty places," he said.
'No military intervention'
Meanwhile, South African ruling ANC leader Jacob Zuma said in a radio interview there was no reason for sending troops to Zimbabwe.
"Why military intervention when there is no war?" he told South Africa's 702 Talk Radio.
"We should be pressurising them to see the light."
Zimbabwe claimed earlier this week that Botswana, which has joined growing demands international calls for Mr Mugabe to quit, was hosting military training camps for MDC rebels.
But the current chairperson of the the Southern African Development Community, South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, said on Wednesday: "We never believed that."
Are you in Zimbabwe? Have you been affected by cholera? What should the UN do to help Zimbabweans? Please send your comment using the form below:Are you in Zimbabwe? Have you been affected by cholera? What should the UN do to help Zimbabweans? Please send your comment using the form below:
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