Across Zimbabwe, close to 4,000 people have died from cholera in recent months, mostly in impoverished districts. Tens of thousands more have been treated for the highly infectious disease spread by contaminated food and water. Deteriorating sewage systems, poor access to safe drinking water, a shortage of trained health personnel, and the large and frequent movement of people have contributed to the spread of the disease.

"Zimbabwe's cholera outbreak is unprecedented amid a collapsed health system. Considering the devastating situation on the ground – high prevalence of HIV and TB, food insecurity, power and water supply breakdown, brain drain – we urge the international community to increase their support and help the people of Zimbabwe. Cholera can be easily prevented and treated."
--Dr. Tete Amouh, Migration Health Advisor, IOM Zimbabwe

Mobile and vulnerable populations (MVPs), in particular, are at high risk of contracting cholera since they often move from place to place and live in overcrowded, informal settlements that have inadequate water and sanitation facilities.

Also at high risk are the populations in border areas next to South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Botswana, which include persons passing through the border, migrants returning to Zimbabwe, and resident populations. The large movement of people in addition to commercial and trade activities in cross-border areas increases the chances of cholera transmissions from individuals who may have been to cholera-affected areas.

IOM's Response

In immediate response to this crisis, and working with UN agencies and local health authorities, IOM has set up Cholera Treatment Centres, fielded nurses, and provided treatment centres and local clinics with drugs, medical supplies, and non-food items like protective clothing and cleaning materials. IOM has also run an awareness-raising campaign on cholera.

To ramp up its efforts to contain the outbreak, IOM has focused on assistance to migrants in border areas, as well as to mobile and vulnerable populations in Zimbabwe. It has also targeted some 430,000 travellers during the recent festive season (December-January). Its project "Up-Scaled Cholera Outbreak Response for Migrants and Mobile and Vulnerable Population Settings" seeks to prevent the occurrence of large-scale cholera-related cases and fatalities among these groups.

As an active member of the UN Health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) clusters coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), IOM has been designated as the lead agency for cholera response in the border areas of Manicaland, Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North. IOM is also working closely with its NGO partners in the areas of disease surveillance and reporting, case management, food, water, and health and hygiene promotion.

Key Objective

Support and coordinate the country's cholera response and preparedness efforts in border areas and provinces of Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West and Manicaland, placing particular emphasis on mobile and vulnerable populations and migrants.

Beneficiaries

  • 250,000 individuals in high-risk communities
  • 150,000 migrants and residents in border areas
  • 430,000 travelers during the recent festive season (December-January)

Principal IOM Activities

  • Provide safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services for mobile populations and other vulnerable groups.
  • Increase awareness among 830,000 beneficiaries on preventing and controlling cholera.
  • Make available emergency supplies (drugs, IV fluids, chlorine tablets, antiseptics, laboratory supplies, chemicals and reagents) to investigate, monitor and manage cholera cases.
  • Establish a high-quality surveillance system for early detecting and effective monitoring of cholera cases
  • Train key health personnel to effectively monitor and manage cholera cases.
  • As the lead agency, coordinate cholera-response activities with fellow agencies, local authorities and others