Cholera outbreak in Zambia

WfW is taking decisive action with our team on the ground, working hand-in-hand with local partners to provide essential water and sanitation services:

In Linda (Lusaka), we are supporting an increase in the production of clean drinking water, e.g. with a new borehole to ensure that residents have access to clean drinking water.

In Kaleya (Mazabuka), we are working with the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) to ensure that all primary school pupils have access to clean water and a hygienic environment.

In Pemba and Batok, we have drilled boreholes that supply 5,000 people with clean drinking water.

Our measures have an immediate impact and are designed as long-term, scalable initiatives. They aim to sustainably improve access to clean water and sanitary facilities, far beyond our intervention. A crisis like the current cholera outbreak highlights the significance of our work, as it can be prevented through access to clean drinking water and hygiene education.

The diarrhoeal disease cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The bacteria, which are present in the faeces or vomit of sick people, are transmitted to people who have drunk contaminated water or eaten food washed in contaminated water. Urban areas with a rapidly increasing population density are particularly affected, as the sanitary infrastructure and the sewage and water supply cannot be expanded quickly enough. Comprehensive expansion in the WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) sector is essential for disease containment.

For more information on cholera, please consult the Bundesamt für Gesundheit (BAG.ch) or the WHO (World Health Organisation).