India on Tuesday sent humanitarian aid to Zambia following cholera outbreak in the country, as per the Ministry of External Affairs (ΜΕΑ). Officials said that the aid was sent in a commercial cargo aircraft.
“Following an outbreak of cholera in Zambia, India today sent humanitarian aid on commercial cargo aircraft,” a MEA official said.
“The aid weighing approximately 3.5 tonnes comprises water purification supplies, chlorine tablets, and hydration in the form of ORS sachets,” he added.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has said it will provide one million Euors to support Zambia in addressing the ongoing cholera epidemic, which poses a risk to approximately 3.5 million people.
The emergency funding will support humanitarian partners UNICEF and the WHO in their efforts to address immediate and critical needs related to health, water, hygiene, and sanitation, as per the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).
As of January 31 this year, Zambia has documented 16,526 cholera cases with 613 deaths, indicating a fatality rate of nearly 4%, concentrated primarily in Lusaka Province.
Given that the rainy season is anticipated to persist until May, there is concern that heavy rains in Lusaka urban and peri-urban areas may lead to further flooding, potentially causing a resurgence of cholera cases.
Cholera, a bacterial disease, is usually spread through contaminated water. The disease causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration.
(Inputs from ANI)