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Cholera outbreak response in Caledonia
New Hope Zimbabwe
May 16, 2007

Introduction

In the Month of April New Hope Foundation (Formerly New Hope Zimbabwe) with Funding From SCFUK carried out a Psychosocial support for children affected & infected by HIV/AIDS aged 5 to 18 Years of Both sexes, this was an 8 day PSS camp in Caledonia, while carrying out this psycho social training camp New Hope Foundation (NHF) officers came across a situation that needed urgent attention before it grew to be a disaster claiming lives of the residents of the area. There was said to be a cholera outbreak in the area and people were supposed to be on guard of this disease. The Department of Health in the City of Harare announced to Mabvuku, Tafara and Caledonia residence of this out break.

Cholera is well known for its distractive nature and it needed to be brought to the attention of the people immediately. NHF in working with the community to ensure safety of the community then acted swiftly as to this effect. An awareness campaign was arranged and in collaboration with our partner (Save the Children UK) we distributed to families in the area in a bid to help in the prevention of the disease. This report serves to share with the reader how NHF with assistance from SCFUK responded to the Cholera outbreak in Caledonia.

After having realized the dilemma that had fallen the people in this area, NHF then sent the news to its partners and stakeholders informing them of the outbreak. Thanks to Save the Children UK who then came to the rescue of the desperate situation and joined hands with NHF in preventing the spread of the disease. NHF received with relief from SCUK, the following items to give to the vulnerable community members who were at risk of infection.

• 39 Water Jugs and Lids
• 2 packets Aqua Tablets
• 20 x 10Ltr Plastic Buckets and Lids
• 167 x 100grms Bath Soap
• 280ml Plastic Cups
• Water treatment tablets and Gloves

Together with officers from SCUK, NHF staff visited the area to assess the depth of the problem. They visited the community chairperson who gave information on the outbreak and accompanied them to the local clinic where they inquired again on the seriousness of the case.

Findings of the Officers were that there was really an outbreak in the area, however, the authorities from the area acknowledged that there were about seven families members from Tafara and five from Caledonia. It was said that the families from these area were affected. It was also highlighted that the identified victims of the outbreak were carriers and were treated to avoid the spread of this disease.

NHF carried out an awareness campaign in the community and community members were encouraged to exercise caution whenever handling their day to day lives especially in line with hygiene being a priority.

These items were distributed to an average of 39 households who were the most vulnerable families in the area. The beneficiaries of this response received the sanitary items with gratitude and urged the organisation to keep on the good work. There was jubilation as well as relief in most families as they received these items which were distributed at the Gazebo which is the community meeting place of the area.

Challenges

• There were limited resources yet the demand for such intervention is high in the area this gave the officers a challenge in selecting the appropriate and deserving beneficiaries of the response.
• People in the area were not free to open up at first when they heard about the outbreak.
• People in this area have limited access to clean water supply as well as ablution services.

Recommendations

• The organisation in the future should at least try and source more resources so that they would target at least a larger number of community members.
• Community leaders should be certain of current affairs in their areas and should be able to share factually with humanitarian organisations who would want to respond to a critical situation regardless of the extent of the problem.
• The organisation with the support of funding partners should develop projects that aim at improving the water and sanitation standards of the area.
• There is need for a mobile clinic to service this area.

Conclusion

The people of Caledonia have a number of problems they are facing and the area still has huge requirements in terms of development. However, developing this area is a challenge up until the area is confirmed to be a permanent residential area. At the moment, the area is considered to be a transit camp. New Hope Foundation still has a lot of work in the area and is trying to identify real areas of need. The community members are very grateful of the work New Hope Foundation has done in the area so far and the organisation is developing projects that will ensure sustainability of livelihoods in the area.

Visit the New Hope Zimbabwe fact sheet

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