Oxfam tackles cholera outbreak in Mozambique

Following media reports of over 130 cholera cases in the flood-hit city of Beira, Oxfam is launching efforts to stop the spread of the disease.

Photo: Micas Mondlane / Oxfam Novib

Cyclone Idai hit southern Africa in mid-March, causing massive flooding and damage in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi. In Mozambique, cholera has now broken out in the flooded areas. Large parts of the city of Beira were destroyed in the cyclone and over 600 families who lost their homes have now sought shelter in a camp in the city where Oxfam is providing clean water and latrines.

Together with local partners, we have also distributed 50 tents and over 2,000 packages including soap, blankets and buckets to store water.

"I have seen life-saving work here. Oxfam has mobilized trucks, built water taps and delivered clean drinking water to over 2200 people"

Dorothy Sang, works for Oxfam in Beira, Mozambique.

Oxfam is also prioritizing actions to stop disease outbreaks among those affected by the floods and living in areas that now lack clean water and sanitation. This includes training local volunteers to teach cyclone survivors how to avoid disease by treating drinking water with chlorine and other chemicals, and the importance of hand washing to avoid spreading disease.

Cholera is easy to cure and prevent. But the disease can be devastating for those who have lost their homes and everything they own.

The floods have destroyed infrastructure, water supply and sewage systems, meaning that large parts of the water supply may have been contaminated.

"We need to get clean water and simple things like soap to people so they can stay healthy"

Dorothy Sang

When Julia Pedro's house was destroyed, she sought refuge near the city of Beira. Now she volunteers in the impoverished area of Praia Nova, which was hit hard by Cyclone Idai, to help spread information about deadly diseases like cholera. "I want to help people save their children," she says.