|PIC1|World Vision says the need for medical supplies in Zimbabwe is urgent, as the death toll continues to climb in the cholera outbreak.

More than 3,300 people have died and another 60,000 people are infected since cholera broke out in October last year.

World Vision dispatched a shipment of medicines on Friday to Zimbabwe containing supplies of saline and antibiotics donated by pharmaceutical companies.

The shipment will go towards World Vision’s 10 new cholera treatment centres, each equipped to treat 100 patients a month, and for the creation of 30 new cholera treatment kits, which can each be used to treat 50 people.

World Vision is responding to the cholera outbreak in four provinces. It says there has been some improvement in the situation in areas where aid agencies have supported hospitals with medical supplies, staff and vehicles.

The latest outbreak was triggered by the breakdown in the healthcare infrastructure, inadequate supplies of clean water, and crumbling sewers. The aid agency warns that the needs are still great.

“We need to get the supplies out there as soon as possible, and we’re
asking the British public to help make this happen,” said Charles Badenoch, head of World Vision UK.