AN ANALYSIS OF CHOLERA INTERVENTIONS BY DEVELOPMENT
ORGANIZATIONS IN HARARE URBAN DISTRICT FROM A DISASTER RISK REDUCTION PERSPECTIVE

AN ANALYSIS OF CHOLERA INTERVENTIONS BY DEVELOPMENT
ORGANIZATIONS IN HARARE URBAN DISTRICT FROM A DISASTER RISK REDUCTION PERSPECTIVE

JOHN MBWIRIRE

NAUME WATYOKA

This study analysed the interventions undertaken in Harare Urban District that contributed to curbing of cholera from 2008 as well as current interventions toward prevention. A mixed method approach was used combining household survey, focus group discussions and interviews.
Interventions carried out were of great assistance (awareness and prevention education, provision of temporary and long term water
supplies, sanitation and case management) although challenges in terms of mainly resources and coordination were met. Inconsistent funding to carry on with cholera prevention is still a challenge and risk factors are still abounding with some key organisations lacking capacity to act and provide the information to be acted upon. Prevention work is on-going but there is still need to continuously educate people and restore
public health infrastructure and build capacity of local authorities, regular surveillance and early detection as well as working with communities to empower them as provided for in the recommendations given by respondents. An all stakeholders workshop is therefore recommended to ensure that resources are pooled together and disaster risk reduction carried out as a way of protecting people’s health and livelihoods.

African Journal of Science and Research,

2016