LONDON (AFP)--Oxfam warned Thursday that Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic posed a "grave danger" to 300,000 people who are already weakened by food shortages.
Figures from the Zimbabwean government and the U.N. show more than 560 deaths and 12,500 recorded cases of cholera so far.
But Oxfam warned that the situation could get much worse unless international donors step in.
"More then 300,000 people already seriously weakened by lack of food are in grave danger from the cholera epidemic," Oxfam said in a statement.
The U.K. , Zimbabwe's former colonial ruler, announced a GBP10 million emergency package Thursday to provide life-saving assistance in Zimbabwe.
Peter Mutoredzanwa, country director for Oxfam in Zimbabwe, said such aid pledges would "make a real difference" but that more is needed.
"Unless the international community steps up to provide money for food and medical assistance immediately, the already dire situation will get much worse," he said. "With close to half the population weakened by serious food shortages, cholera when it hits is even more likely to be lethal.
"Indications are that more than 5 million people will urgently need food aid by January."
In unusually frank remarks from Zimbabwe's government, the state-run Herald newspaper said Thursday the cholera outbreak and the breakdown of the health system were national emergencies and appealed for international aid.
-Dow Jones Newswires, 201-938-5500
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 04, 2008 17:20 ET (22:20 GMT)

Publié le 04 Décembre 2008 Copyright © 2008 Dowjones