SA delegation to assess humanitarian situation in Zim

This comes after Zimbabwe's humanitarian situation reaches crisis point, with a critical shortage of food and lack of clean water and proper sanitation. Cholera has left more than 550 people dead and there have been over 12,000 reported cases of the acute intestinal disease reported nationwide.

The delegation, which is to be led by Director General at the Office of the President Reverend Frank Chikane, will consult with various stakeholders in Zimbabwe on how a multi-stakeholder distribution and monitoring mechanism can be established.

The officials want to ensure that humanitarian aid distribution channels are working and that assistance is being delivered in a non-partisan way to those ordinary Zimbabweans who need it most.

It is expected that they will consult with government officials, agricultural unions, churches, non-government organisations and the international donor organisations.

Government spokesperson Themba Maseko said on Friday that on their return from Zimbabwe, the team would make recommendations to the Ministerial Team convened by President Kgalema Motlanthe.

"The President and the ministers will then decide on the humanitarian aid that will be provided by the South African government to the people of Zimbabwe," Maseko said.

He added that an announcement in this regard will be made during the course of next week.

With regards to the Cholera outbreak, Maseko said South Africa was committed to its ongoing efforts to support Zimbabweans who have crossed the border seeking assistance from South Africa.

"The South African government will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Zimbabwe who are coming over into South Africa to seek medical and other forms of assistance.

"Measures are also being put in place to prevent the spread of cholera inside our borders," Maseko said.

The country has allocated R500,000 for medical supplies including chlorine tablets and body bags, which will be made available to health facilities in Zimbabwe via the World Health Organisation.

At least three South African companies have pledged to donate R700,000 in supplies to Zimbabwe for tents, beds and blankets and a dehydration centre.

Furthermore, the South African Military Health Services will deploy additional health personnel to Musina with environmental health officers being deployed in communities that are close to the border to help communities on how to prevent the spread of cholera

A national action plan to respond to the cholera outbreak has been circulated to all stakeholders and a list of contingency stock of cholera treatment supplies and other materials has been prepared and ready for procurement.

An action plan for the Musina health cluster has also been developed and sent to the national multi-sectoral committee. This includes infection control and the treatment of South African patients.

The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry is continuing to render technical expertise to the Beit Bridge District Council in Zimbabwe, to ensure the optimisation of water treatment processes.

During the regular Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, it was noted that the Zimbabwean negotiators had reached agreement on the draft constitutional amendment which will pave the way for the establishment of a representative government.

The leaders of the political parties are expected to approve and sign the draft constitutional amendment soon.

The South African government also reiterated its call to the Zimbabwean leaders to put the interest of their people and country first by finalising the constitutional amendment and reaching agreement on the outstanding Cabinet posts as a matter of urgency.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also urged the world to tell Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe that enough is enough amid growing concern over the country's cholera outbreak.

"The crisis has become an international emergency and Zimbabwean government is now broken and the state is unable or unwilling to protect its people," Gordon said.

He added that regardless of any differences with President Mugabe, medicine would get to those who need it.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews