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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| 'Zimbabwe needs emergency aid' | 'Zimbabwe needs emergency aid' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An "emergency infusion" of aid is urgently needed in Zimbabwe amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, a medical charity is warning. | An "emergency infusion" of aid is urgently needed in Zimbabwe amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, a medical charity is warning. |
| In a report, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says the country's whole health system has collapsed. | |
| Zimbabwe is experiencing the worst cholera outbreak in its history. | Zimbabwe is experiencing the worst cholera outbreak in its history. |
| This latest appeal follows calls from politicians, humanitarian and campaign groups for the world to take more action over the situation in Zimbabwe. | This latest appeal follows calls from politicians, humanitarian and campaign groups for the world to take more action over the situation in Zimbabwe. |
| Almost 3,400 people have died from cholera since August 2008 and more than 68,000 are infected, according to the United Nations. | Almost 3,400 people have died from cholera since August 2008 and more than 68,000 are infected, according to the United Nations. |
| FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service MSF International President Dr Christophe Fournier, who has just returned from a visit to Zimbabwe, said there is a major health crisis in the country with people being left to die in their homes. | FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service MSF International President Dr Christophe Fournier, who has just returned from a visit to Zimbabwe, said there is a major health crisis in the country with people being left to die in their homes. |
| He described a situation where public hospitals are closed or empty; few doctors are left in the country; the medical staff that remain are not showing up for work; there is an urgent shortage of drugs and if patients can get to a clinic they are asked for amounts of money they cannot afford. | He described a situation where public hospitals are closed or empty; few doctors are left in the country; the medical staff that remain are not showing up for work; there is an urgent shortage of drugs and if patients can get to a clinic they are asked for amounts of money they cannot afford. |
| Last month, the organisation Physicians for Human Rights said the country's health crisis should be the subject of an investigation by the International Criminal Court. | Last month, the organisation Physicians for Human Rights said the country's health crisis should be the subject of an investigation by the International Criminal Court. |
| It accused president Robert Mugabe's government of violating human rights. | It accused president Robert Mugabe's government of violating human rights. |
| 'Need to survive' | 'Need to survive' |
| A new coalition government in Zimbabwe was sworn in last week but the international community responded by saying additional aid would only be sent if real changes take place. | A new coalition government in Zimbabwe was sworn in last week but the international community responded by saying additional aid would only be sent if real changes take place. |
| In the past, Mr Mugabe's allies have accused western countries of trying to use the cholera outbreak as an excuse to topple him. They have blamed Zimbabwe's problems on western sanctions. | In the past, Mr Mugabe's allies have accused western countries of trying to use the cholera outbreak as an excuse to topple him. They have blamed Zimbabwe's problems on western sanctions. |
| Dr Fournier told the BBC: "MSF would not call for massive external aid to be provided if it were not convinced that all stakeholders can make this work." | Dr Fournier told the BBC: "MSF would not call for massive external aid to be provided if it were not convinced that all stakeholders can make this work." |
| HEALTH CRISIS Cholera: Almost 3,400 died since AugustHIV/Aids: Estimated 400 deaths a dayMaternal mortality: Risen from 168 per 100,000 in 1990 to 1,100 in 2005 Zimbabwe health crisis 'a crime'Zimbabwe's empty hospitalsCholera lays bare Zimbabwe's collapse Figures from the World Health Organisation show that all 10 provinces in Zimbabwe have been affected by the cholera outbreak. | HEALTH CRISIS Cholera: Almost 3,400 died since AugustHIV/Aids: Estimated 400 deaths a dayMaternal mortality: Risen from 168 per 100,000 in 1990 to 1,100 in 2005 Zimbabwe health crisis 'a crime'Zimbabwe's empty hospitalsCholera lays bare Zimbabwe's collapse Figures from the World Health Organisation show that all 10 provinces in Zimbabwe have been affected by the cholera outbreak. |
| "The cholera outbreak, even if it is still not under control, is just the visible manifestation of this whole crisis," Dr Fournier added. | "The cholera outbreak, even if it is still not under control, is just the visible manifestation of this whole crisis," Dr Fournier added. |
| "Governments and international agencies must recognise the severity of this crisis and ensure that the provision of humanitarian aid remains distinct from political processes. | "Governments and international agencies must recognise the severity of this crisis and ensure that the provision of humanitarian aid remains distinct from political processes. |
| "Their policies towards Zimbabwe must not come at the expense of the humanitarian imperative to ensure that malnourished children, victims of violence and people with HIV/Aids or other illnesses have unhindered access to the assistance they need to survive." | "Their policies towards Zimbabwe must not come at the expense of the humanitarian imperative to ensure that malnourished children, victims of violence and people with HIV/Aids or other illnesses have unhindered access to the assistance they need to survive." |
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| Are you living in Zimbabwe? Are you a health worker there? What are your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you living in Zimbabwe? Are you a health worker there? What are your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |