The Zakat Foundation of America

Mar 28, 2009

Aid to cholera victims in Somalia

Zakat Foundation has allocated $10,000 as an immediate response to the recent outbreak of cholera in Somali refugee camps that has caused the death of more than 600 people in three months. According to UN sources and assessments performed by our partner organizations in the region, the number of cholera and acute watery diarrhea cases in southern and central Somalia has topped 17,000 since January 1, 2009. The majority of the sick and dead have been children under the age of five. As the first phase of intervention, Zakat Foundation has provided bottled water and oral rehydration solutions to treat the most severe cases in the refugee camps where we work.

The assessment performed by our local partners has put stark emphasis on the dire situation facing inhabitants of refugee camps in the affected regions because the lack of clean water sources and healthcare. Humanitarian workers in the areas have warned that without rapid intervention, thousands may be dead within the next few months. Medical experts have stressed the importance of immediately rehydrating patients suffering from cholera and diarrhea. With prompt rehydration, fewer than 1% of cholera patients die.

Somalia has suffered greatly from man-made conflict, famine and widespread epidemics for many years. Zakat Foundation asks our donors to contribute to immediate intervention to stem the spread of cholera and other waterborne diseases to reduce the death and misery suffered by many Somali refugees.