Harare - Zimbabwe on Thursday declared the cholera outbreak that has claimed at least 565 lives a national emergency, and appealed for international aid to tackle the crisis. Health Minister David Parirenyatwa told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa: "We are expecting the international community to chip in with assistance so that the pandemic can be eradicated as soon as possible."
Cholera has compounded the misery of Zimbabweans, who are trying to ride out the country's worst-ever economic and humanitarian crisis.
Around half the population of 12 million is in need of food aid and government hospitals have been closed for a month as doctors and nurses strike over pay and conditions.
"Our central hospitals are literally not functioning. Our staff is demotivated and we need your support to ensure that they start coming to work and our health system is revived," Parirenyatwa was quoted by state media as saying.
South Africa's government spokesman said President Kgalema Motlanthe would be convening a ministerial meeting to discuss the situation.
"We believe people are dying of starvation and we cannot fold our arms," government spokesman Themba Maseko said.
Health experts blame the outbreak of water-borne cholera that dates to August on the government's failure to import water treatment chemicals and to dispose of sewage and garbage.
The capital Harare has been experiencing acute shortages of water resulting in residents resorting to shallow wells and rivers for drinking water.
"This is going to get a lot, lot worse," Matthew Cochrane, spokesman for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
Seasonal rains that usually culminate in flooding are already starting to fall in parts of Zimbabwe. Cholera cases are common during the flood season.
"You are going to have this aggravating factor on top of an already urgent situation," Cochrane warned.
Harare ran completely dry for more than 48 hours from Saturday after water purification chemicals ran out. The situation has yet to return to normal, with most parts of the city still without water.
The Red Cross is digging 70 water boreholes in Zimbabwe, rehabilitating a further 150 and distributing cholera kits, Cochrane said.
Meanwhile, the situation remained tense Thursday in Harare, which where a riot by soldiers Monday revealed cracks in President Robert Mugabe's vice-like grip on power.
Armoured army vehicles patrolled the streets and armed police stood guard at banks as Zimbabweans rushed to take advantage of new higher cash withdrawal limits for fear the cash would soon run out.
On Wednesday, the state increased the limit on cash withdrawals to 100 million Zimbabwe dollars (about 50 US dollars) a week, from 500,000 Zimbabwe dollars amid growing defiance over cash shortages that has spread to sections of the military.
On Monday, a group of soldiers took to the street in Harare, looting and attacking black market currency dealers, apparently frustrated by the bank queues.
On Wednesday, around 70 demonstrators were detained after police broke up two protests, one over cash limits, the other by doctors and nurses protesting the breakdown of the health system.
In September, Mugabe signed up to a unity government with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) but the deal has become mired in squabbling over how the rivals will really share power.
