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(TALKZIMBABWE) UN, Sadc teams arrive in Zimbabwe

UN, Sadc teams arrive in Zimbabwe
Mutsawashe Makuvise
Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:36:00 +0000

ZIMBABWE’S efforts to fight the cholera epidemic have been boosted by the arrival of United Nations and Sadc teams yesterday.

According to The Herald, the U.N. has responded "at the highest level by dispatching a five-member team of health experts from Geneva, while Sadc sent another five-member emergency team."

"The two teams are expected to give technical and logistical support to the Government using existing structures at a time some Western countries were gearing to politicise the outbreak to abet aggression by claiming structures of assistance in Zimbabwe had collapsed," reports the paper.

Head of the U.N. delegation Dr Eric Laroche, said the WHO team was in Zimbabwe "to assist the Government through case investigation data management, surveillance and implementation of world guidelines in treating the disease."

"Our team will be in Zimbabwe, as long as it is required, to support the local WHO team control and stick to the guidelines of treating and registering patients among others. We are purely a technical team that will offer technical, logistical and financial support," he said.

He said his team, which has already set up a National Command Centre in ZImbabwe, would help Government source funds required to fight the epidemic.

Meanwhile, a South African team left Monday for Zimbabwe to see how the regional powerhouse can help ease a food crisis and treat the cholera epidemic. Namibia has also donated a consignment of cholera fighting drugs worth US$200 000.

Labels: SADC, UN

posted by MrK @ 1:24 AM