Emergency Health Care in Zimbabwe - Doctors Without Borders 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 Doctors Without Borders to help reduce disease and mortality rates for the most vulnerable populations in Mashonaland Central East West and Midlands provinces of Zimbabwe. Activities focus on reducing malnutrition in children and adults with and without HIV and related infections through therapeutic feeding programs. The project is also providing essential healthcare services to displaced populations as well as emergency medical care for victims of violence including sexual and gender-based violence.