India sends second consignment of humanitarian assistance to Zambia amid cholera outbreak

Indiaon Saturday sent the secondhumanitarian aidtoZambiaamid the ongoingcholera outbreak in the country. External Affairs MinisterS Jaishankarsaid that the aid, weighing approximately 3.5 tonnes, comprises water purification supplies, chlorine tablets, and other things.

"Indiasends Humanitarian Assistance toZambiain wake of thecholeraoutbreak. The aid weighing approx 3.5 tonnes comprises water purification supplies, chlorine tablets and ORS sachets. Was handed over today by our High Commissioner to the Government ofZambia," EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Indiasent the first consignment ofhumanitarian aidon February 6 via a commercial cargo aircraft toZambiafollowing thecholeraoutbreak in the country, as per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The aid weighing approximately 3.5 tonnes comprised water purification supplies, chlorine tablets, and hydration in the form of ORS sachets, the MEA said.

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has said it will provide Euro one million in support toZambiain response to the ongoingcholeraepidemic, which is putting around 3.5 million people at risk.

The emergency funding will support humanitarian partners UNICEF and the WHO in their efforts to address immediate and critical needs related to health, water, hygiene, and sanitation, as per the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

As of January 31, 2024, the cumulative number ofcholeracases in the country stood at 16,526 with 613 deaths. There is a high fatality rate of close to 4 per cent, with most of the cases and deaths reported in Lusaka Province.

As the rainy season in the country is expected to continue until May, further floods due to heavy rains in Lusaka's urban and peri-urban areas could re-ignite the spread ofcholeracases.

Cholera, a bacterial disease, is usually spread through contaminated water. The disease causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration.

(With inputs from agencies)