Children play with stagnant raw sewage in Harare's Machipisa suburb
This is an area that has been especially badly affected by the outbreak of cholera sweeping across the country
Photo: REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo (ZIMBABWE), courtesy of alertnet.org
Children play with dirty water
Cholera has surged in Zimbabwe due to the breakdown of city sewerage systems, poor maintenance of water supply systems, severe drinking water shortages, and the lack of basic hygiene items such as soap.
Photo: AP/PA Photos
A young boy on a drip at Budiriro Cholera Clinic
Deaths from cholera in Zimbabwe's capital Harare have steadily increased throughout November and December 2008. The main outbreak is in the Harare suburb of Budiriro.
Photo: Robin Hammond
An empty ward at Norton Hospital, 40 kilometres south of Harare
Like many others across the country, this hospital is closed because doctors and nurses stopped working late last year complaining that their wages hadn't kept pace with hyperinflation and barely covered transport costs.
Photo: Caroline Gluck
A women collects water from a borehole rehabilitated by Oxfam in Kotwa.
As cholera sweeps thorough the country, the provision of safe drinking water is more vital than ever.
Photo: Robin Hammond
Oxfam staff run a session on safe hygiene practices
We have also been working with local drama groups using music and dance to promote key hygiene messages within communities.
Photo: Caroline Gluck
Residents of Ngoni township in Norton collect jerry cans from an Oxfam distribution
Oxfam has been distributing hygiene kits comprising jerry cans, soap, water purification tablets, cotton wool and public health posters and pamphlets.
Photo: Caroline Gluck
Ellen Marangarire shows her daughter a hygiene poster from an Oxfam kit
"These kits are very nice. I think it will help prevent cholera. It's my main worry at the moment. This hygiene chart is very useful."
Photo: Caroline Gluck
Sacks of food aid are prepared for an Oxfam distribution in Harare
Oxfam have partnered with the World Food programme to distribute 12000 mega tonnes of food aid to 250,000 individuals over the next six months
Photo: Robin Hammond
People queue to collect rations from an Oxfam feeding programme in Harare
4 million people are in desperate need of food. When people are hungry their immune systems are weaker and they are forced to scavenge for food from dirty places. This makes them much more vulnerable to cholera.
Photo: Robin Hammond
Participants in Oxfam's feeding programme register and collect their supplies
Our food aid programme is providing support to 250,000 people over the next six months
Photo: Robin Hammond
A lady carries away her food rations from an Oxfam feeding programme in Harare
Our food aid programme is providing support to 250,000 people over the next six months
Photo: Robin Hammond
