In February, we updated our supporters about the sudden outbreak of cholera across both Zambia and Mozambique.  

Cholera is, sadly, very common in both countries. Without safe water and toilets, the virus will spread quickly, and yearly rainy seasons cause dangerous spikes in cases. 

Through our projects we’re helping communities become more resilient to viral outbreaks and common illness through permanent, safe water and sanitation facilities that can be maintained and managed long-term. Increasing knowledge at the community level is essential too – knowing when and how to treat water, disinfect pumps and safe handwashing practice helps save lives. 

With our local partners, WATSAN in Mozambique and ECHO in Zambia, we work closely with council, government and other water and sanitation leaders. We know in the long-term, heightened surveillance, planning and preventative measures are needed to control outbreaks. 

If we’re able to support people and partners on the ground during a crisis, we will always do so. Thanks to help from our supporters, we were able to get emergency supplies and life-saving information to over 11,000 people over the last few months. 

Zambia, Nalolo

Activities:

• 4 public community sensitization meetings were held where field staff spoke about hygiene education and cholera prevention, which 3441 people in total attended 
• 403 households were visited in Muoyo, Mukukutu and Lubosi wards in Nalolo District, Central Province, where local partners ECHO spread messages about the adoption of 5 key hygiene behaviours in households to prevent cholera. The team ran 3 sessions with each ward to help communities take on the learnings
• 700 bottles of chlorine and handwashing soap were distributed across the same 3 wards  
• Installation of a semi-permanent emergency hand washing station at the entrance of a popular market 

Challenges:

• The team found resistance to behavioral change among certain community members, requiring additional promotion of the messages

Zambia, Mumbwa

Activities:

• The ECHO team based in Mumbwa, Western Province set up public announcements in Bulungu, Lubemba and Nangoma areas with 15,550, 12,933 and 18,975 catchment populations respectively. The message was centred around the key hygiene messages and to raise  awareness about cholera.
• 2 semi-permanent hand washing facilities were constructed at rural health centres which were providing cholera treatment during breakout
• Granular chlorine given to treat and disinfect community boreholes 
• 708 households across Lubemba and Muchabi were given soap and bottle of chlorine. They were shown how to safely use the chlorine in public hygiene training sessions 
• In Lubemba and Muchabi areas 13 ‘hotspot communities’ were targeted with hygiene behaviour education and cholera information 
• With the help of the Government over 100 water points were chlorinated  

Challenges:

• In Muchabi, there are 4 fishing camps in the area. Fish trading is a popular and an essential livelihood activity: travelling between camps and larger markets to sell fish causes cases to rise. This can be tackled with hygiene education and handwashing stations outside markets 

• In Lubemba, ECHO reported a high number of unprotected wells, without safe water it is impossible to protect from disease. We aim to improve water and sanitation facilities across Mumbwa, reducing the risk of future outbreaks 

• Some areas were difficult to reach due to poor roads being damaged further by the rainy season 

Our organisations response to the cholera outbreak and WASH initiatives made a significant impact  on the communities health, sanitation and resilience. We remain committed to sustaining these efforts and building upon the lessons learned to promote sustainable WASH practices in the future. (WATSAN)

Mozambique, Manica

Activities:

• Our local partner WATSAN supported 4 districts, Chimoio, Vanduzi, Guro and Tambara, in Manica Province 

• Cholera education sessions were delivered with communities learning and engaging in; how to detect symptoms; seeking early treatment and prevention measures to contain and prevention of the spread of the disease 

• Soap and water purifications tablets were delivered to 8,398 families 

• Door to door visits were done and 82 vulnerable families received short training sessions at their homes, also receiving soap and water purification tablets 

• Each districts local council received 5kgs of chlorine to be used for further treatment of community boreholes 

Challenges:

• Poor road conditions, particularly in Tambara district, caused multiple vehicle breakdowns. The mechanic was able to solve the problem in the field

• Despite WATSAN’s best efforts to anticipate demand, turnout at public sessions was unexpectedly high which necessitate revisiting communities to replenish supplies of soap, water purification tablets and encourage continuity of hygiene promotion efforts

Communities appreciated the awareness messages. They learnt to recognise the symptoms of cholera and how it is transmitted, encouraging early treatment-seeking behaviour and increasing awareness of prevention practices and strategies (WATSAN)

All of these activities are short-term emergency measures aimed at curbing the current outbreaks. However all of our work – increasing access to clean water, decent toilets, and improving levels of hygiene – aims to make communities healthier and more resilient to diseases like cholera long-term.

Thank you to everyone who donated to this emergency appeal. Your support is invaluable to the communities who can now protect themselves against cholera.