ZOE Responds to Cholera Crisis in Zimbabwe
ZOE volunteer, Dr. Howard Ruscetti at Mutambara United Methodist Hospital, Zimbabwe. (ZOE File Photo)
Updated on Feb. 9, 2009
The World Health Organization says that as of February 5, nearly 68,000 cases of cholera have been reported since the outbreak began last August in Zimbabwe.
An estimated 3,371 people have died, although there is still no way of determining the actual figure, with thousands more Zimbabweans believed to be dying in their homes.
The epidemic is expected to keep getting worse in coming months, with predictions of up to 55,000 more people becoming infected by May.
Zimbabwe’s cholera outbreak is still spreading out of control, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The disease, which is caused by contaminated food or water, has affected all ten of Zimbabwe’s provinces according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).
In many cases, people are dying outside of clinics because of the collapse of the medical infrastructure. Lacking the necessary medications, doctors and nurses often have to watch people die from a disease that is easily treatable.
ZOE spearheaded an effort working with several United Methodist groups from across the country to respond to this crisis. $30,000 was committed to ship in enough medical supplies to treat 5,500-6,000 moderate to severe cases and 140-150 severe cases of cholera. This shipment helps equip the United Methodist Medical Ministries in Zimbabwe to effectively combat this horrible disease.
ZOE’s Executive Director, Greg Jenks remarked, “Special thanks are due to Julie Warren of First UMC, Mansfield, TX, Drew Harvey of the Nyadire Connection, and Neil Moores of the Baltimore/Washington Conference for their leadership in helping to make this happen. It is remarkable what can be accomplished when God’s Spirit links us together in His cause.”
Dr. Ted Winneberger, ZOE Board member and lead doctor stated that, “The church has to respond in a significant way because the need is so massive. This is an ongoing crisis. Not to respond will result in untold suffering and death. With this shipment, not only will lives be saved, but Zimbabweans faith in God will be reaffirmed.”
ZOE’s Executive Director, Greg Jenks, and Julie Warren of First UMC, Mansfield, TX are currently traveling in Zimbabwe to assess the situation in the country first-hand. Please continue to keep the people of Zimbabwe in your prayers, as well as those who are traveling on behalf of ZOE.