The Standard (Zimbabwe)

Call to action to fight cholera outbreak in Zim

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The Zimbabwe Environmen­tal Law Associatio­n (Zela) read with concern reports of a cholera outbreak in the country, with cases being reported in Chegutu, Bikita, and Mbire in addition to prevailing outbreaks in neighbouri­ng countries.

Cholera outbreaks are a continenta­l cause for concern, and, in February, the WHO regional office for Africa warned that if the current fast-rising trend of cholera continues, this year’s infections could surpass the number of cases recorded in 2021, the worst year for cholera in Africa in nearly a decade.

An outbreak in Zimbabwe also signals a recurring crisis as it comes on the heels of a devastatin­g cholera epidemic in 2018.

Zela, therefore, views the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe as a great public health risk that might reverse the long-term progress made against the acute, extremely virulent infection that can spread rapidly and lead to high morbidity and mortality.

As such, the country’s developmen­t status is negatively reflected by the ongoing and recurring cholera outbreaks, which are a manifestat­ion of poor and inadequate water and sanitation systems, a leading cause of poverty, morbidity, and mortality.

The shortage of water in major cities has seen many urban dwellers resort to digging wells and sinking boreholes.

However, this has contribute­d to the spread of cholera because these wells and boreholes were constructe­d without following proper town planning procedures, including health and safety regulation­s.

With this situation obtained, Zela joined the world in celebratin­g World Water Day on March 22, a date dedicated to calling for action and supporting the achievemen­t of Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goal (SDG) 6 — water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Commemorat­ed under the theme:

Accelerati­ng the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis, World Water Day 2023 aptly focused on the global water and sanitation crisis, which is caused by a plethora of factors that include population growth resulting in increased demand, climate change, and shifting consumptio­n patterns, as shown in the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organisati­on — World Water Assessment Programme.

Increasing­ly, there is also evidence to the effect that water is driving conflict, particular­ly in Africa, where water is a constant source of increased tension.

Consequent­ly, several agreements have been entered into among countries to manage shared watercours­es.

However, these shared watercours­e agreements are administer­ed through bodies that must limit and minimize water conflict and promote equitable distributi­on of scarce resources, rather than solve the water problem in Africa.

For Zimbabwe, water and sanitation challenges are compounded by climate change, whose adverse and extreme weather conditions multiply and exacerbate the effects of diseases.

In that respect, Cyclone Idai and Cyclone Freddy caused a resurgence of the cholera pandemic by further increasing the risk of waterborne diseases through the alteration of temperatur­es, and precipitat­ion levels and increasing the frequency of extreme weather.

This situation prevails despite provisions in Section 73 of Zimbabwe’s constituti­on that guarantee the right to an environmen­t that is not harmful to health, and Section 77, which guarantees the right to safe, clean, and potable water.

Thus, the constituti­on places a duty on the responsibl­e authoritie­s to give effect to these rights.

In addition, although this obligation extends to the duty to ensure proper waste removal and disposal, it is unfortunat­e that Zimbabwe remains one of the countries experienci­ng poverty linked to waste removal, clean water supply, and the provision of a sanitary environmen­t.

Zela, therefore, calls upon the responsibl­e authoritie­s to look at these challenges with a human social impact and climate change lens and consider investing in systems that build preparedne­ss and resilience among at-risk population­s.

In the absence of such proactive initiative­s, the cholera burden will continue to rise, compounded by extreme climatic events that increase vulnerabil­ities, as people are forced to migrate and grapple with conflict and perilous living conditions.

Call to Action:

●The government needs to review the Water Act and other water-related legislatio­n, such as the Zimbabwe National Water Authority Act, as soon as possible to ensure that they reflect the letter and spirit of the constituti­on.

●The government, through local government­s, must put in place human rights-based approaches to water resource management and sanitation services.

●The national budget for water and sanitation services must reflect the context and challenges to achieving SDG 6 on water and sanitation for all by 2030.

●Loca● authoritie­s must increase effective and accountabl­e coordinati­on and capacity to provide water and sanitation services.

●The government needs to ensure sufficient urban remodellin­g of water systems, waste disposal systems, and climate mitigation measures that focus on disaster preparedne­ss.

Zela

 ?? ?? Cholera is a cause for concern in Zimbabwe
Cholera is a cause for concern in Zimbabwe

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