China announced Friday it would give cholera-plagued gives Zimbabwe vaccines worth US$ 500,000 to help the country contain an outbreak of the disease which has claimed the lives of about 400 people in recent weeks. Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans have been hit by cholera countrywide, prompting regional and international aid agencies, including the World Health Organisation, to step in with assistance. Neighbouring South Africa, where cholera-related deaths of Zimbabweans have been reported, announced this week it would keep its borders open to sick Zimbabweans seeking medical treatment. A Chinese diplomat said the vaccines were being rushed to Zimbabwe and should arrive in the country shortly. “We are sympathising with the Zimbabwean people and we want to help as best as we can to stop the spread of the cholera disease that has killed many people in this country,” He Meng, deputy Chinese Ambassador to Harare, said. The cholera outbreak is being blamed on poor sanitation, particularly lack of clean water supplies in most urban areas.
