300 000 threatened by cholera
2008-12-05 11:38
Special Report
A classical music presenter for the BBC has been arrested and is in custody in Zimbabwe.
London - Oxfam warned on Thursday that Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic posed a "grave danger" to 300 000 people already weakened by food shortages, as the government declared a national emergency over the crisis.
Government and UN figures show more than 560 deaths and 12 500 recorded cases of cholera, but the international aid agency warned the situation was set to get much worse unless international donors stepped in.
"More then 300 000 people already seriously weakened by lack of food are in grave danger from the cholera epidemic," it said in a statement.
Britain, Zimbabwe's former colonial ruler, announced a £10m emergency aid package on Thursday to provide life-saving assistance and respond to the escalation of cholera.
Peter Mutoredzanwa, country director for Oxfam in Zimbabwe, said such aid pledges would "make a real difference" but more was needed to avert disaster.
"Unless the international community steps up to provide money for food and medical assistance immediately, the already dire situation will get much worse," he said.
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"With close to half the population weakened by serious food shortages, cholera when it hits is even more likely to be lethal.
"Indications are that more than five million people will urgently need food aid by January."
In unusually frank remarks from Zimbabwe's government, the state-run Herald newspaper said on Thursday the cholera outbreak and the breakdown of the health system were national emergencies and appealed for international aid.
- AFP