The Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power T.D., today activated the rapid response mechanism of Irish Aid authorising the immediate airlift of emergency relief supplies for the victims of the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe.

Over 1,000 people have died in Zimbabwe as a result of cholera infection, while a further 20,000 have contracted the illness. All except one of the country’s provinces have been affected, with Harare and the southern town of Beitbridge worst-hit.

In approving the shipments, the Minister said:

“These items will meet a specific request from the Irish NGO, Goal, whose staff are doing a terrific job in responding to the cholera crisis in Zimbabwe. This airlift consists of urgently required water and sanitation supplies which will be distributed by Goal to benefit 30,000 Zimbabwean families dealing with the current crisis”.

The shipments, which will arrive in Harare over the next few days, consist of essential water and sanitation supplies including jerry cans, buckets, soap, oral re-hydration salts and water purification tablets. The operation is being carried out on behalf of Irish Aid by the UN World Food Programme through its network of UN Humanitarian Response Depots, within which Irish Aid pre-positions shelter, water and sanitation supplies.
    
Note:

The Rapid Response Initiative (RRI) enhances Ireland’s ability to help those in most need of help.  It harnesses the skills, experience and resources at our disposal as a nation to respond to humanitarian emergencies

The RRI provides emergency stocks of essential non-food items such as blankets, tents, plastic sheeting, jerry cans, kitchen sets, etc. These supplies are currently pre-positioned at the UN’s humanitarian response base in Brindisi, Italy.

Under the Initiative, funding is also provided to UN agencies and non-governmental organisations to allow them to respond more flexibly to emergency situations.  A reserve of volunteer experts – the Rapid Response Corps – also stands ready to deploy at short notice to international humanitarian emergencies.   In 2008, a total of 29 deployments to 14 countries were made.  Members of the Corps are on standby to deploy to Zimbabwe if requested.