In September 2018, MSF supported the Zimbabwean health authorities in responding to a cholera outbreak in Harare, the second biggest the country has known.
The outbreak which was declared an emergency on 12 September, 2018, claimed 43 lives with more than 9100 suspected cases and 188 confirmed cases having been reported as of 21 October. Glenview was the epicenter of the outbreak, which soon spread to other parts of Harare and the country.
MSF provided health authorities with emergency expertise including the setting up and provision of treatment facilities, training and mentoring, infection control and supported the delivery of a massive vaccination campaign. Community health clubs (CHCs) in and around the epicentre of the outbreak facilitated by MSF in collaboration with partners supported communities with provision of safe water and door to door heath education campaigns which were essential to prevent the spread of the disease during the outbreak.
MSF has rehabilitated more than 70 boreholes and facilitated the creation of more than 60 Community health clubs in 13 high density areas of Harare since 2015 to promote sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene interventions.