While the world is watching and celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama, it appears that the unfolding crisis in Zimbabwe needs to be placed back in the limelight. The situation cannot be ignored as long as people who have nothing to do with the politics die. The situation cannot be ignored as the ecological damage is present.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, World Vision-Canada has sent nearly $4.7 Million in US Dollars of equipment and medication to stem the Cholera Crisis that has affected Zimbabwe. Wilfred Shukula who is the director of World Vision-Canada arrived on the 21st of January 2009 at Harare International Airport for the delivery.
This comes at a time when there has been a recent outbreak in Mashava in the province of Masvingo. There was more news from the BBC, Medecins San Fronteire, and the UN about an increase in the deaths from Cholera with 2755 deaths since August 2008 or a 20% increase.
It should also be mentioned that in Zimbabwe, there have been eight deaths from Anthrax since November 2008, 400 deaths a day from HIV/AIDS, as well as an increase in maternal mortality.
The UN has reported that ALL of Zimbabwe has been affected with nearly 50,000 people infected. Human Rights Watch has asked for the intervention of African Countries while the foreign policy spokesperson for the Democratic Alliance of South Africa Tony Leon has asked for sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
It appears that the story of Zimbabwe is going to continue for a long time with people wringing their hands and doing nothing. Only time will tell what can happen. I could only think of my interview with Johnny Rodrigues and think what has happened in Zimbabwe.
http://english.cri.cn/6966/2009/01/22/189s446861.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7844417.stm
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20090122113625944C452247
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20090122131732672C659848
http://my.nowpublic.com/environment/now-public-exclusive-ecological-destruction-zimbabwe
http://my.nowpublic.com/world/aid-zimbabwe-situation-becomes-catastrophic
El Noticiero de Alvarez Galloso 