Zimbabwe declares national emergency over cholera

Zimbabwe has declared a national emergency as it battles to halt a cholera outbreak that has killed more than 560 people and forced its government to appeal for international assistance.

Neighbouring South Africa said it was extremely concerned about conditions in the state. Thousands of Zimbabweans are believed to cross the border, often illegally, into South Africa each day.

Economic meltdown in Zimbabwe, isolated by Western countries under President Robert Mugabe's increasingly authoritarian rule, has left the health system ill-prepared to cope with an epidemic that it once would have prevented or treated easily.

There is not enough money to pay doctors and nurses or buy medicine.

"Our central hospitals are literally not functioning. Our staff is de-motivated and we need your support to ensure that they start coming to work and our health system is revived," Health Minister David Parirenyatwa was quoted by the state-run Herald newspaper as saying in an appeal to donors.

Mr Parirenyatwa said Zimbabwe needed medicine, medical equipment and food for patients and child feeding programmes.

"The emergency appeal will help us reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the current socio-economic environment by December, 2009," Parirenyatwa said. The UN humanitarian office estimates the death toll from the cholera outbreak at 565 people, with the capital Harare the worst affected. The cases have been fuelled by the collapse of the water system, which has forced residents to drink from contaminated wells and streams.

Hopes of rescuing Zimbabwe from the humanitarian crisis are complicated by the deadlock between Mr Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai over how to implement a power-sharing pact.

Analysts said worsening conditions may force Mr Mugabe's government to mend relations with donors and other governments.

"I think if this continues they are in a very, very difficult position and I think in that position they may have to start thinking about taking any friends they can get, or any help they can get," University of Johannesburg political analyst Steven Friedman said.

Zimbabwe's neighbours, faced with cholera patients crossing their borders, moved to help the country, while the World Health Organisation said it was preparing to send its own team.

South Africa said it would look to work with other regional countries to help. President Kgalema Motlanthe is expected to meet with officials and aid groups to discuss the crisis, a government spokesman told South Africa's 702 Talk Radio.

Western nations, which have accused Mr Mugabe of running the once prosperous nation into the ground, also promised aid. EU ministers have agreed to provide an initial €200,000 to the Red Cross and other aid agencies.