The IRC helps 200,000 Zimbabweans with essential services including:
Emergency cholera response
The IRC has trained staff at more than 30 government health clinics to better treat cholera patients, and provided them with ‘cholera kits’ containing medicines and other vital materials. We also rehabilitated isolation centers at rural health clinics, and distributed ‘light kits’ to allow staff to treat patients at night.
The IRC maintains the capacity to set up 80 emergency oral rehydration points – meaning that, within 36 hours of a confirmed outbreak, staff can travel to an affected area and help to treat patients and educate communities on the best way to contain and prevent cholera.
Clean water and safe sanitation
The IRC is ensuring that rural communities have access to clean drinking water and good sanitation services. Our staff have rehabilitated water systems at three rural health centers, benefitting an estimated 30,000 people, and repaired 20 boreholes – each providing water to around 500 families. The IRC expects to repair water facilities at an additional seven health centers.
Training health staff
Building on our emergency cholera response, the IRC continues to train staff at rural health centers on issues such as good case management, effective use of ‘cholera kits’ and how to reduce the risk of spread of infection.
Hygiene promotion
Good hygiene practices are vital in minimizing outbreaks of cholera, so the IRC has helped 21 schools to create dedicated hygiene clubs. Students, staff and parents learn how they can prevent the spread of disease, for example by washing hands and disposing of rubbish safely. The IRC expects to reach an additional 20 schools in the coming months, benefitting approximately 10,000 students.
Supporting schools
The IRC is also working to rebuild critical water and sanitation infrastructure at schools in Manicaland and Harare Provinces. We will construct latrines at ten schools, as well as repairing water systems at ten schools, benefitting more than 5,000 students.
Supporting local government
The IRC will support district and provincial authorities to better provide essential services to the people living in their areas. We will help authorities to accurately research their communities’ key needs and implement services to meet them. The IRC will do this by engaging communities in the decision-making process in a way that promotes accountability and transparency, thereby fostering trust and encouraging peace-building.
