ZIMBABWE - New Cholera Cases and Deaths Declining, but Epidemic Still Not Under Control - Although cholera fatality rates and new cases are on the decline, the epidemic is still not under control.
As of 26 February, 84,027 suspected cases, including 3,894 deaths had been reported by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, with a slight drop in the fatality rates to 4.6%.
Insufficient numbers of experienced health personnel at Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs), poor access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities at the CTCs, as well as at border posts and in the community at large, and poor communication with rural CTCs, continue to be the main challenges reported by IOM field staff.
Distances, the lack of transport and general poor health make it harder for people to access help at CTCs where fatality rates are lower.
This situation is further complicated by the onslaught of the rainy season, which is leading to an increase in the number of recorded malaria cases.
In the north-eastern Chidodo district, IOM staff found that 80% of all patients to suffer from malaria. In response, IOM has increased its distribution of mosquito nets distribution in areas of high malaria prevalence.
IOM, which had been focusing its anti-cholera efforts on the provinces of Manicaland, Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North as well as border areas, is now present in all of 10 provinces.
The Organization's two to five person field teams each week carry out systematic assessments identifying new cases and needs. Results of its assessments, which are also shared with partners, are used to organize new interventions.
In the border town of Mutare, the numbers of reported cases remain high; 94% of deaths have occurred in the community, likely due to poor access to health facilities. The overall fatality rate remains high at 8.5%. Water and sanitation facilities in the area's schools are poor to non-existent, raising serious concerns regarding threats for transmission.
In Zvimba, located in Mashonaland West, new cases continue to increase, although deaths are down compared to the previous week.
With funding from the Swedish development agency (Sida), its Australian equivalent, AusAid and in-kind support from NGO AmeriCares, the Organization has assisted 66 CTCs in 21 districts through the provision of training to 360 health personnel, transport, fuel and other support for health personnel, as well as non-food items, tents, 252,080 acqua tabs and medical supplies including 53,750 oral rehydration salt sachets.
In addition, IOM is providing health, hygiene and cholera prevention education materials for affected communities and through a water and sanitation expert seconded from the Swiss government, is training communities on safe water and sanitation techniques that would prevent cholera.
Through a partnership with Tetrapak, IOM is also distributing water labeled with cholera prevention messages since the New Year to Zimbabwean returnees at the Beitbridge and Plumtree reception and support centres. So far, nearly 23,500 litres of water have been distributed to returned Zimbabwean migrants.
IOM is an active member of the UN Health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Clusters that are coordinated by WHO and UNICEF, respectively. IOM has been designated as the lead agency for cholera response in border areas, Manicaland, Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North and is working closely with NGO partners in the field.
For further information please contact, Erin Foster, IOM Zimbabwe +263912572315, Email: efoster@iom.int
ECUADOR - South American Countries Open their Doors to Colombian Refugees - Brazil, Chile, and Argentina accepted 111 Colombian refugees of a total of 456 resettled by IOM and its partners in 2008 from Ecuador.
"Each year we have seen an increase in the number of countries from the region coming forward to resettle Colombian refugees living in Ecuador. Resettlement in South America makes integration much easier for Colombian refugees due to the similarity in culture, climate and social structures; and in the case of Argentina and Chile, because of the language. IOM is proud to be a part of the international support Colombian refugees are receiving," said Alejandro Guidi, IOM Chief of Mission in Ecuador.
Since 2003, IOM Ecuador has been working on refugee resettlement programmes in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNHCR. The Programme began with the United States and Canada, gradually Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Sweden, Holland, Iceland, Denmark, New Zealand, and Norway, began accepting Colombian refugees in Ecuador.
This month, the Government of Uruguay conducted an assessment mission in Ecuador to determine the possibility of becoming a resettlement country.
After UNHCR refers a case to a resettlement country and the country agrees to receive the refugee, IOM begins the travel arrangements, which include medical examinations and required vaccinations; securing travel documents and visas; lodging prior to departure; cultural orientation training; IOM escorts for unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable persons; reception and assistance on departure and arrival; and in the case of in the case of the United States, IOM conducts an extensive interview with the refugees.
Ecuador is the country with the highest number of Colombian refugees. Since 2000, UNHCR figures confirm 68,544 Colombian asylum seekers in Ecuador; 20,649 have been awarded refugee status. In the past six years, IOM has assisted in the resettlement of 2,600 Colombian refugees from Ecuador.
For more information, please contact Ana Guzman at IOM-Ecuador, Tel: + (593-2) 225-3948 Email: aguzman@iom.int
