EU Provides €150,000 to Combat Cholera in Zambia
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Synopsis
On March 26, the European Union announced a funding allocation of €150,000 to support Zambia's fight against cholera, enhancing relief efforts by the Zambia Red Cross. The initiative aims to provide vital resources like clean water and healthcare to affected communities.
Key Takeaways
- EU allocates €150,000 to Zambia for cholera response.
- Funding supports Zambia Red Cross efforts in relief provision.
- Emergency project spans five months, targeting hardest-hit areas.
- Cholera outbreak has resulted in 351 cases and 9 deaths since December.
- Access to safe water and sanitation is critical for prevention.
Lusaka, March 26 (NationPress) The European Union (EU) has committed 150,000 euros to assist Zambia in tackling the cholera outbreak, as detailed in a press release.
This financial support will enhance the efforts of the Zambia Red Cross Society in delivering essential aid, such as clean water, healthcare, sanitation, and hygiene, while also engaging communities to reduce transmission risks.
The emergency project is set to last for five months, concluding in August 2025, and aims to support those affected in the most severely impacted provinces of Copperbelt and Muchinga.
The funding is part of the EU's broader contribution to the disaster response emergency fund managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, according to Xinhua.
Since the onset of the waterborne disease in December of last year, Zambia has reported a total of 351 cholera cases and nine fatalities.
The Zambian government, in collaboration with various partners, is executing a comprehensive response strategy focused on preventing cholera, managing cases effectively, and promoting community involvement, as stated in the announcement.
The World Health Organization indicates that cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by the consumption of food or water tainted with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. It poses a significant global health challenge and highlights social and economic disparities. Access to safe water, basic sanitation, and hygiene is crucial to avert cholera and other waterborne illnesses.
Most individuals with cholera experience mild or moderate diarrhea and can be treated with oral rehydration solutions (ORS). However, the disease can deteriorate quickly, making prompt treatment essential to save lives. Severe cases require intravenous fluids, ORS, and antibiotics.
Cholera can lead to severe acute watery diarrhea, which, if untreated, can be fatal within hours. Although many infected with V. cholerae do not exhibit symptoms, they can still transmit the bacteria through their feces for 1 to 10 days. Symptoms typically manifest 12 hours to 5 days after infection.
The incidence of cholera cases reported to the WHO has been on the rise in recent years. In 2023, there were 535,321 cases and 4,007 deaths reported from 45 countries.
