The Chinese Embassy in Zambia has pledged over $500,000 to support the nation's battle against a persistent cholera outbreak. This significant donation is part of the embassy's broader assistance measures announced during the peak of the outbreak in January.
Wang Sheng, the charge d'affaires at the Chinese Embassy, expressed optimism during a handover ceremony attended by Zambian Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane. \"We are delighted to see that the cholera outbreak in Zambia has been alleviated, but its eradication remains a long-term task,\" Wang stated.
Since October last year, Zambia has grappled with a cholera outbreak that has resulted in over 20,000 cases and more than 700 deaths. The donated funds will aid the Zambian government in enhancing sanitation and water supply infrastructure to prevent future outbreaks.
In addition to immediate relief efforts, a Chinese vaccine manufacturer is exploring the possibility of producing vaccines in Zambia, following a request by the Zambian government. This initiative aims to establish a sustainable long-term solution to prevent large-scale cholera outbreaks.
Zambian Minister Musokotwane extended his gratitude to China for the generous donation. He acknowledged that Zambia's success in controlling the cholera outbreak is not only due to its own resolve and commitment but also the support from international partners like China. He also commended China's ongoing support in areas such as Zambia's debt restructuring process.
Looking beyond the cholera crisis, Wang affirmed that the Chinese government and people are committed to continuing their support for Zambia, particularly in addressing drought-related challenges. In February, Zambia declared a national state of disaster due to prolonged drought, which threatened food security and caused electricity shortages.
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Chinese embassy donates over $500,000 to help Zambia fight cholera
cgtn.com
