Emergency Water and Health Assistance in Zimbabwe - Plan 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 Plan Canada to increase the number of families schools and health clinics with access to adequate year-round potable water in the Kwekwe and Tsholotsho districts of Zimbabwe. The project also focuses on providing adequate health care services to help reduce and prevent the spread of life-threatening water-borne diseases including cholera. Activities include providing essential medical supplies and support to medical facilities including oral rehydration salts and water purifying tablets as well as direct support to the most vulnerable populations affected by the cholera outbreak including orphans and families headed by children or women.