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Capital lacks clean water, cholera kills hundreds in Zimbabwe
Almost 12,000 people have contracted cholera since August in Zimbabwe, and the
outbreak threatens to grow more dire -- and deadly -- because the nation can't pay
for chemicals to treat water or for doctors to treat victims.
There was no running water Monday In Harare, the capital, according to the
opposition Movement for Democratic Change.
outbreak threatens to grow more dire -- and deadly -- because the nation can't pay
for chemicals to treat water or for doctors to treat victims.
There was no running water Monday In Harare, the capital, according to the
opposition Movement for Democratic Change.
Residents there were digging shallow holes in their yards in hopes of finding water. In some cases, nearby
holes served as latrines. Other residents were getting water from polluted rivers.
"Just be strong. This will come to an end one day," MDC Vice President Thokozani Khupe told cholera
patients while visiting the Beatrice Infectious Diseases Hospital in the capital Monday.
The World Health Organization reports that 11,700 people in Zimbabwe have contracted the curable
disease and 473 people have died from it since August -- but MDC Health Secretary Henry Madzorera
said the numbers are being underreported. He did not say by how much.
At Beatrice hospital in Harare, bodies were piled in the mortuary, awaiting relatives to collect them. "We
are receiving up to 15 bodies a day since the cholera outbreak. That is why we have started piling them
like that. We cannot cope with the situation," a hospital official said.
Cholera is a highly contagious disease that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting. It is curable, but
because Zimbabwe lacks the drugs and doctors to treat it, the death rate there is 10 times greater than it
is in countries where treatment is available, according to former President Jimmy Carter, who visited with
officials in the region last week.
The nation's four major hospitals have shut down, Carter said in a statement, warning the disease will
continue to spread into South Africa unless action is taken. Khupe said some victims were traveling to
Botswana and other neighboring countries for treatment. "This is now a regional disaster," Khupe said.
The MDC issued a statement last week warning that conditions could worsen this month as the rainy
season brings steamy downpours to much of Zimbabwe, especially the eastern mountain forests. The
International Committee of the Red Cross said Zimbabweans should avoid digging shallow wells or
drinking rainwater that accumulates on the ground.
"Rainwater on the ground is easy to collect, making it a tempting source of drinking water. The problem is
that it may be contaminated," said Sandra Eigenheer Fust, the ICRC's water and sanitation engineer in
Harare.
The MDC reported Monday that many of the nation's doctors and nurses have gone on strike because of
poor salaries. Even if they were being paid adequately, the MDC said, many would refuse to work
because there are no drugs for patients or protective clothing for health workers. "Some of the patients
admitted at the centers are health workers who contracted cholera due to lack of protective clothing," the
MDC statement said.
While the MDC has blamed the humanitarian crisis on its political opponents, the ruling ZANU-PF has
called the accusations unfair and says it is doing all it can to battle the outbreak. "The government is very
committed to ensure that the humanitarian crisis is addressed. It would be wrong for the MDC to blame it
on the government," Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said last week.
The state-run Herald has reported that the government is drilling boreholes in search of clean
subterranean water and has kicked off an information campaign on "the dos and don'ts to combat the
disease." Learn about cholera." One such "don't," according to the paper, is taking part in "mass
feedings." And on Monday, Zimbabwe's health minister implored citizens to stop shaking hands.
"Although it's part of our tradition to shake hands, it's high time people stopped," David Parirenyatwa told
the Herald.
Zimbabwe also has tried to import chemicals to treat its water, but with the nation's economy in shambles,
it has been unable to do so. "Our supplies ran out late Saturday, and we had not paid on time," said a
government official who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons. "We no longer have credit lines
because of our bad record, so our suppliers in South Africa demand payment first."
Unemployment in Zimbabwe is about 90 percent, and the official inflation rate is 231 million percent,
though unofficial estimates suggest it's higher. The economic turmoil is compounded by the nation's
political tumult. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the most votes in March elections but dropped out of
the subsequent runoff, citing violence against MDC supporters.
Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe of the ruling ZANU-PF signed a power-sharing deal in
September, but it has failed to take effect as the MDC has refused to form a national unity government,
accusing Mugabe of taking all the key ministries.
Last week, Carter called Zimbabwe "a basket case" and blamed the cholera outbreak and other turmoil in
the nation on "the poisonous effects" of the Mugabe regime.
Also last week, a group of Harare residents, led by Arthur Taderera, filed a lawsuit against the Zimbabwe
government, saying, "Due to their lack of diligence and constant supplies of clean water to my place of
residence, diseases like cholera surfaced and people are dying."
During her Monday hospital visit, Khupe asked the government to put politics aside and called on the
international community to send food and medicine to help mitigate the crisis.
"People should stop politicking about this situation as it has reached unprecedented levels," she said,
according to an MDC news release. "ZANU-PF should get out of its denial mode and admit that they have
no capacity so that those that can help can come in as a matter of urgency."
holes served as latrines. Other residents were getting water from polluted rivers.
"Just be strong. This will come to an end one day," MDC Vice President Thokozani Khupe told cholera
patients while visiting the Beatrice Infectious Diseases Hospital in the capital Monday.
The World Health Organization reports that 11,700 people in Zimbabwe have contracted the curable
disease and 473 people have died from it since August -- but MDC Health Secretary Henry Madzorera
said the numbers are being underreported. He did not say by how much.
At Beatrice hospital in Harare, bodies were piled in the mortuary, awaiting relatives to collect them. "We
are receiving up to 15 bodies a day since the cholera outbreak. That is why we have started piling them
like that. We cannot cope with the situation," a hospital official said.
Cholera is a highly contagious disease that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting. It is curable, but
because Zimbabwe lacks the drugs and doctors to treat it, the death rate there is 10 times greater than it
is in countries where treatment is available, according to former President Jimmy Carter, who visited with
officials in the region last week.
The nation's four major hospitals have shut down, Carter said in a statement, warning the disease will
continue to spread into South Africa unless action is taken. Khupe said some victims were traveling to
Botswana and other neighboring countries for treatment. "This is now a regional disaster," Khupe said.
The MDC issued a statement last week warning that conditions could worsen this month as the rainy
season brings steamy downpours to much of Zimbabwe, especially the eastern mountain forests. The
International Committee of the Red Cross said Zimbabweans should avoid digging shallow wells or
drinking rainwater that accumulates on the ground.
"Rainwater on the ground is easy to collect, making it a tempting source of drinking water. The problem is
that it may be contaminated," said Sandra Eigenheer Fust, the ICRC's water and sanitation engineer in
Harare.
The MDC reported Monday that many of the nation's doctors and nurses have gone on strike because of
poor salaries. Even if they were being paid adequately, the MDC said, many would refuse to work
because there are no drugs for patients or protective clothing for health workers. "Some of the patients
admitted at the centers are health workers who contracted cholera due to lack of protective clothing," the
MDC statement said.
While the MDC has blamed the humanitarian crisis on its political opponents, the ruling ZANU-PF has
called the accusations unfair and says it is doing all it can to battle the outbreak. "The government is very
committed to ensure that the humanitarian crisis is addressed. It would be wrong for the MDC to blame it
on the government," Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said last week.
The state-run Herald has reported that the government is drilling boreholes in search of clean
subterranean water and has kicked off an information campaign on "the dos and don'ts to combat the
disease." Learn about cholera." One such "don't," according to the paper, is taking part in "mass
feedings." And on Monday, Zimbabwe's health minister implored citizens to stop shaking hands.
"Although it's part of our tradition to shake hands, it's high time people stopped," David Parirenyatwa told
the Herald.
Zimbabwe also has tried to import chemicals to treat its water, but with the nation's economy in shambles,
it has been unable to do so. "Our supplies ran out late Saturday, and we had not paid on time," said a
government official who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons. "We no longer have credit lines
because of our bad record, so our suppliers in South Africa demand payment first."
Unemployment in Zimbabwe is about 90 percent, and the official inflation rate is 231 million percent,
though unofficial estimates suggest it's higher. The economic turmoil is compounded by the nation's
political tumult. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the most votes in March elections but dropped out of
the subsequent runoff, citing violence against MDC supporters.
Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe of the ruling ZANU-PF signed a power-sharing deal in
September, but it has failed to take effect as the MDC has refused to form a national unity government,
accusing Mugabe of taking all the key ministries.
Last week, Carter called Zimbabwe "a basket case" and blamed the cholera outbreak and other turmoil in
the nation on "the poisonous effects" of the Mugabe regime.
Also last week, a group of Harare residents, led by Arthur Taderera, filed a lawsuit against the Zimbabwe
government, saying, "Due to their lack of diligence and constant supplies of clean water to my place of
residence, diseases like cholera surfaced and people are dying."
During her Monday hospital visit, Khupe asked the government to put politics aside and called on the
international community to send food and medicine to help mitigate the crisis.
"People should stop politicking about this situation as it has reached unprecedented levels," she said,
according to an MDC news release. "ZANU-PF should get out of its denial mode and admit that they have
no capacity so that those that can help can come in as a matter of urgency."
Chileans angry over Peru general's 'body bag' remark
LIMA, Peru (AP) -- Tensions between Chile and Peru remained high Monday after
last week's revelation that Peru's top army general said at a party that Chileans in
Peru would be sent back in coffins or body bags.
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet met Monday morning with her domestic
advisers to discuss the matter after the Peruvian general appeared unrepentant
last week's revelation that Peru's top army general said at a party that Chileans in
Peru would be sent back in coffins or body bags.
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet met Monday morning with her domestic
advisers to discuss the matter after the Peruvian general appeared unrepentant
over the weekend, the Chilean government reported on its Web site. Peruvian President Alan García had
called Bachelet last week to say that the statements by Gen. Edwin Donayre are not the official policy of
Peru. Bachelet said at the time she was satisfied with García's explanation and it was "up to the
government of Peru to take measures."
Donayre made the remarks in 2006 or 2007 at a party at a friend's house, said AP affiliate station TVN in
Santiago, Chile. The video was downloaded to YouTube in February and surfaced a week ago to wider
attention. "We are not going to let Chileans pass by," Donayre says in the amateur-quality video as he
offers a toast. "Chilean who enters will not leave. Or will leave in a coffin. And if there aren't sufficient
coffins, there will be plastic bags."
Tensions rose over the weekend when Donayre, who is scheduled to retire Friday, was widely quoted in
Peru and Chile as saying that he will not be forced to resign early due to external pressure. "I was named
commander general under a presidential mandate and I can only be relieved under such an order. Not by
necessity nor under pressure from another government," Donayre said, according to the Peruvian Andina
news agency.
Further heightening tensions, Donayre was quoted as saying that Peruvian citizens have a right to say
whatever they want at private functions. "I want to express and specify that it was not a speech nor a public
act," Andina quotes the general as saying. "The situation in which what happened at a private gathering
was spread worries me."
In the video, Donayre is surrounded by other uniformed army officials as well as people in civilian dress. It
is not clear from the video in what context the general was making his comments. Nor was it clear in what
forum Donayre made his comments over the weekend. After Bachelet's meeting with top aides Monday,
government spokesman Francisco Vidal declined to say whether Chile's ambassador to Peru would be
recalled in light of Donayre's weekend statements.
"General Donayre's declarations in the past 24 to 48 hours only convince us that we are right and that our
government's posture is reasonable," Vidal said on the Chilean government Web site.
In Peru, meanwhile, a member of Congress, Gustavo Espinoza, is under investigation, suspected of
sending Donayre's videotaped comment to Chilean press and politicians.
A political opponent said Espinoza has an "unpatriotic attitude," the Andina news agency said. "I would
not have expected this conduct from any Peruvian, much less a member of Congress," said Aurelio
Pastor. Espinoza is already serving a 120-day suspension for leaking a private conversation with another
member of Congress, Andina said. Peruvian Defense Minister Ántero Flores-Aráoz told reporters
Saturday that relations between the two nations will be repaired, calling the Donayre incident "a bump in
the road."
Flores-Aráoz also said that Donayre's remarks about Chileans used "improper terms" that are not shared
by the Peruvian people, Andina said. Peruvian Foreign Minister Jose Antonio García Belaunde made
similar assertions last week. Peru has not taken any measures against the general. His retirement Friday
is required by law at the end of his two-year appointment as the army's top chief.
Donayre has been the subject of an investigation in recent weeks concerning the use of 80,000 gallons of
fuel under his control as commander of the southern military region in 2006. Chile and Peru have a long
history of animosity, having fought in the War of the Pacific from 1879 to 1883. Hard feelings linger to this
day.
More recently, the two nations nearly came to war in 1975 when left-wing Peruvian leader Juan Velasco,
who was backed by Cuba, wanted to invade Chile, which was led by right-wing Gen. Augusto Pinochet.
The invasion was called off and Velasco was deposed in a coup a short while later.
Tensions rose again when Peru discovered a Chilean spy mission, but war was averted.
This year, the World Court agreed to look at an issue concerning Peruvian claims to a disputed maritime
area.
called Bachelet last week to say that the statements by Gen. Edwin Donayre are not the official policy of
Peru. Bachelet said at the time she was satisfied with García's explanation and it was "up to the
government of Peru to take measures."
Donayre made the remarks in 2006 or 2007 at a party at a friend's house, said AP affiliate station TVN in
Santiago, Chile. The video was downloaded to YouTube in February and surfaced a week ago to wider
attention. "We are not going to let Chileans pass by," Donayre says in the amateur-quality video as he
offers a toast. "Chilean who enters will not leave. Or will leave in a coffin. And if there aren't sufficient
coffins, there will be plastic bags."
Tensions rose over the weekend when Donayre, who is scheduled to retire Friday, was widely quoted in
Peru and Chile as saying that he will not be forced to resign early due to external pressure. "I was named
commander general under a presidential mandate and I can only be relieved under such an order. Not by
necessity nor under pressure from another government," Donayre said, according to the Peruvian Andina
news agency.
Further heightening tensions, Donayre was quoted as saying that Peruvian citizens have a right to say
whatever they want at private functions. "I want to express and specify that it was not a speech nor a public
act," Andina quotes the general as saying. "The situation in which what happened at a private gathering
was spread worries me."
In the video, Donayre is surrounded by other uniformed army officials as well as people in civilian dress. It
is not clear from the video in what context the general was making his comments. Nor was it clear in what
forum Donayre made his comments over the weekend. After Bachelet's meeting with top aides Monday,
government spokesman Francisco Vidal declined to say whether Chile's ambassador to Peru would be
recalled in light of Donayre's weekend statements.
"General Donayre's declarations in the past 24 to 48 hours only convince us that we are right and that our
government's posture is reasonable," Vidal said on the Chilean government Web site.
In Peru, meanwhile, a member of Congress, Gustavo Espinoza, is under investigation, suspected of
sending Donayre's videotaped comment to Chilean press and politicians.
A political opponent said Espinoza has an "unpatriotic attitude," the Andina news agency said. "I would
not have expected this conduct from any Peruvian, much less a member of Congress," said Aurelio
Pastor. Espinoza is already serving a 120-day suspension for leaking a private conversation with another
member of Congress, Andina said. Peruvian Defense Minister Ántero Flores-Aráoz told reporters
Saturday that relations between the two nations will be repaired, calling the Donayre incident "a bump in
the road."
Flores-Aráoz also said that Donayre's remarks about Chileans used "improper terms" that are not shared
by the Peruvian people, Andina said. Peruvian Foreign Minister Jose Antonio García Belaunde made
similar assertions last week. Peru has not taken any measures against the general. His retirement Friday
is required by law at the end of his two-year appointment as the army's top chief.
Donayre has been the subject of an investigation in recent weeks concerning the use of 80,000 gallons of
fuel under his control as commander of the southern military region in 2006. Chile and Peru have a long
history of animosity, having fought in the War of the Pacific from 1879 to 1883. Hard feelings linger to this
day.
More recently, the two nations nearly came to war in 1975 when left-wing Peruvian leader Juan Velasco,
who was backed by Cuba, wanted to invade Chile, which was led by right-wing Gen. Augusto Pinochet.
The invasion was called off and Velasco was deposed in a coup a short while later.
Tensions rose again when Peru discovered a Chilean spy mission, but war was averted.
This year, the World Court agreed to look at an issue concerning Peruvian claims to a disputed maritime
area.
Luxury cruise ship outruns pirates
The Nautica was in an area patrolled by international anti-piracy task forces when
two small skiffs appeared to try to intercept it, Oceania spokesman Tim Rubacky
said.
The ship took evasive maneuvers and accelerated to its full speed of 23 knots or 27
mph.
two small skiffs appeared to try to intercept it, Oceania spokesman Tim Rubacky
said.
The ship took evasive maneuvers and accelerated to its full speed of 23 knots or 27
mph.
One of the smaller craft closed to within 300 yards and fired eight rifle shots at the cruise ship, he said, but
the ship was able to pull away.
It was the first report of a pirate attack on a passenger ship of its size this year, said Cyrus Mody of the
International Maritime Bureau, which runs a piracy reporting center.
"There have been a couple of passenger yachts hijacked, but they were much smaller," he said. It is "quite
common" for pirates to target ships the size of the Nautica and even larger, he said, but they tend to be
cargo ships, not passenger vessels.
The Nautica escaped without damage or injury to its 684 passengers and 400 crew, and arrived safely on
schedule in Salalah, Oman early on Monday morning, Rubacky said.
He emphasized that the ship was not off the coast of Somalia, which has become a base for pirates, but
off the coast of Yemen.
The International Maritime Bureau has issued piracy warnings for both areas. The Nautica was in a
Maritime Safety Protection Area which is patrolled by international anti-piracy task forces, Rubacky
underlined.
But the International Maritime Bureau's Mody warned that there was only so much navies could do even in
that zone. "The zone has been created to enable navies to patrol and concentrate on a much smaller area
than the entire Gulf," he said.
"But, saying that, it is still a large area. Vessels do not automatically get guaranteed safe passage even if
they use it."
The Nautica left Rome November 18 on a 32-day cruise to Singapore. It was the first time one of the
company's cruise ships had encountered possible pirates, Rubacky added.
He said the company did not plan to change routes to avoid the area, which has seen increasingly
audacious piracy in recent months. "We're not considering re-routing as the Gulf of Aden is the most
viable gateway from the Med to Asia," he said.
On Sunday, an official from the Kenya Seafarers Association said pirates have reached a deal with the
owners of a Ukrainian ship loaded with arms that was seized more than two months ago.
"A deal has been reached to free the MV Faina. Talks on how to deliver the ransom money are ongoing,"
Andrew Mwangura of the association told AP.
It is not clear how long those talks will take, but the ship could be freed as soon as an agreement has been
reached.
The ship, which is laden with Soviet-era tanks, tank artillery shells, grenade launchers and small arms, was
seized on September 25.
It was heading for Kenya, whose government had bought the weapons from Ukraine, Ukrainian Defense
Minister Yuri Yekhanurov said, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
The pirates originally asked for a $35 million ransom, but lowered their demand to $20 million, he said.
The Faina is owned and operated by Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine, and its crew includes citizens of Ukraine,
Russia and Latvia, the Navy said.
the ship was able to pull away.
It was the first report of a pirate attack on a passenger ship of its size this year, said Cyrus Mody of the
International Maritime Bureau, which runs a piracy reporting center.
"There have been a couple of passenger yachts hijacked, but they were much smaller," he said. It is "quite
common" for pirates to target ships the size of the Nautica and even larger, he said, but they tend to be
cargo ships, not passenger vessels.
The Nautica escaped without damage or injury to its 684 passengers and 400 crew, and arrived safely on
schedule in Salalah, Oman early on Monday morning, Rubacky said.
He emphasized that the ship was not off the coast of Somalia, which has become a base for pirates, but
off the coast of Yemen.
The International Maritime Bureau has issued piracy warnings for both areas. The Nautica was in a
Maritime Safety Protection Area which is patrolled by international anti-piracy task forces, Rubacky
underlined.
But the International Maritime Bureau's Mody warned that there was only so much navies could do even in
that zone. "The zone has been created to enable navies to patrol and concentrate on a much smaller area
than the entire Gulf," he said.
"But, saying that, it is still a large area. Vessels do not automatically get guaranteed safe passage even if
they use it."
The Nautica left Rome November 18 on a 32-day cruise to Singapore. It was the first time one of the
company's cruise ships had encountered possible pirates, Rubacky added.
He said the company did not plan to change routes to avoid the area, which has seen increasingly
audacious piracy in recent months. "We're not considering re-routing as the Gulf of Aden is the most
viable gateway from the Med to Asia," he said.
On Sunday, an official from the Kenya Seafarers Association said pirates have reached a deal with the
owners of a Ukrainian ship loaded with arms that was seized more than two months ago.
"A deal has been reached to free the MV Faina. Talks on how to deliver the ransom money are ongoing,"
Andrew Mwangura of the association told AP.
It is not clear how long those talks will take, but the ship could be freed as soon as an agreement has been
reached.
The ship, which is laden with Soviet-era tanks, tank artillery shells, grenade launchers and small arms, was
seized on September 25.
It was heading for Kenya, whose government had bought the weapons from Ukraine, Ukrainian Defense
Minister Yuri Yekhanurov said, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
The pirates originally asked for a $35 million ransom, but lowered their demand to $20 million, he said.
The Faina is owned and operated by Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine, and its crew includes citizens of Ukraine,
Russia and Latvia, the Navy said.