20100528
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The United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) is seeking an estimated US$17 million to help humanitarian emergencies in Zimbabwe, which the group said this week is still 'fragile'.

In a report released Wednesday the group said that it required the funds to immediately respond to the most acute emergencies in Zimbabwe, including cholera, measles and typhoid outbreaks. They explained how humanitarian emergencies continue to hamper the pace of recovery in Zimbabwe, saying the country is in a "fragile" transition due to the "complex and severe crises experienced over the last five years." The UNICEF report explained how the country is facing current acute emergencies, including ongoing measles, cholera and typhoid outbreaks, the silent but devastating HIV and AIDS epidemic, and the plight of displaced persons.

"These concerns are exacerbated by inadequate access to basic social services, including health care and social protection schemes. Food insecurity and disrupted livelihoods contribute to the overall fragile socio-economic situation."

Zimbabwe is currently facing a large measles outbreak with more than 6 000 suspected cases and at least 384 deaths reported. Fifty-seven out the country's 62 districts have confirmed at least one laboratory tested case, while 61 districts have reported suspected cases. UNICEF spokesperson in Geneva, Christiane Berthiaume, explained that it was "tragic" that measles is still such a threat.

"Though measles epidemics have been mostly contained during the past 20 years, the steady decline in basic social services, particularly regular immunization programmes, has placed Zimbabwean children in a highly vulnerable state," Berthiaume explained.

UNICEF and the World Health Organisation this week launched an immunization campaign to tackle the measles outbreak in Zimbabwe, with an estimated five million children set to receive vaccines.

"In addition to measles vaccinations, the intensive campaign will also provide children with vital immunization against polio, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus," UNICEF's Berthiaume said.

Berthiaume also explained concerns about ongoing cholera and typhoid outbreaks in the country, where access to clean, safe water is still limited. Both diseases are waterborne and have deadly consequences. In 2008 a country wide cholera outbreak claimed well more than 5000 lives.

The UNICEF report also expressed concern about gender-based violence in all its forms, saying it "remains a challenge and is sustained by prevailing negative socio-cultural practices, attitudes, values, norms and beliefs, despite progressive legislation." The report said that 47% of women in Zimbabwe have experienced either physical or sexual violence (or both) at some point in their lives.