Emergency Water Services in Zimbabwe - Oxfam Canada 2009

The people of Zimbabwe are coping with the impacts of an unprecedented cholera outbreak the world's highest inflation rate and one of the world's lowest life expectancies. Over 5 million people are in need of food assistance. Another year of erratic weather is anticipated in 2009 which combined with the failure to procure and adequately distribute seed stock is expected to lead to another failed harvest. Unemployment is estimated at 80 percent in Zimbabwe which also has one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS. CIDA's contribution is supporting Oxfam Canada to help protect lives and health by providing safe water to populations severely affected by water shortages in Gwanda Matobo Insiza Beitbridge districts and in Bulawayo city suburbs in southern Zimbabwe. Project activities focus on rehabilitating 170 water points in rural communities; establishing 10 functioning and safe water harvesting schemes in Bulawayo suburbs; and reactivating local water management committees responsible for maintaining water points in targeted communities.