Churches in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city, have started an emergency project to clean up the raw sewage that is now a common sight in the western suburbs of the city.
Children cross a contaminated storm drain in Bulawayo.
The churches, which are Tearfund partners, are working with Bulawayo City Council to clear sewage blockages and clean up the raw sewage that is running onto the streets.
They are also educating people about how to prevent the spread of deadly diseases such as cholera. The project should benefit approximately 1 million people.
Funerals
Tearfund’s Karyn Beattie says, ‘During my recent visit to Zimbabwe, pastors explained that they are struggling to manage the number of funerals each week.
'The high number of funerals are a result of the combination of cholera and the food shortages. It’s heart breaking and so unnecessary. The churches are doing all they can to help people cope, practically and spiritually.’
Political deadlock
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has been crippled by a shortage of foreign currency and by the deadlock between Zanu PF and the MDC in appointing ministers. BCC has been without a minister for local government for the last nine months.
Council workers have gone for six months without salaries and, like so many other Zimbabweans, are leaving the country in search of jobs. With these constraints, the council is struggling to provide clean water and sewage treatment.
On 10 December, the UN estimated that some 746 people had died because of the cholera outbreak. Independent health organisations say the figure is even higher.