One of Malawi’s bilateral partners the European Union (EU) says the Cholera outbreak presents a huge challenge for Malawi and has since called for well-coordinated efforts to ensure that resources move along the peaks of the disease.

EU Ambassador to Malawi to Malawi Rune Skinnebach has urged stakeholders to ensure they can address the disease on the spot when the situation worsens so that it does not escalate.

The Brussels based organization has pumped in K2.6 billion channeled directly through Cholera, additionally adapted its on-going programmes to ensure the needs for hygiene and clean drinking water are met and added K600 million for that purpose.

It’s a year since Cholera hit Malawi with 9.5 million people affected directly and indirectly and it has been aggravated by the food situation, flooding and Cyclones with the prevailing Freddy wreaking havoc in the southern part of Malawi.

The EU Envoy pointed out that the disease is not new as in the past, the country used to have 100 deaths or cases during the rainy season.

“What is particular this time is that it’s stayed over the dry season and we’ve now had an epidemic which has costed the lives of up to 1600 people. Now it seems that the trend is going down, but we don’t know for sure whether if it’s really a trend or whether it’s just waiting for the next rains to come and wouldn’t worsen again. What we do know is that the mortality rate is far too high, it’s around three out of 100 who die from Cholera and this is unheard of everywhere in the world; it’s one of out of a hundred who die.

“It is quite clear that we all need to work together both the development partners, certainly the government and absolutely the UN agencies who are specialists in this field which is why the WHO is part of the conference which is called these days and this is why UNICEF as an implementing partner is also doing a significant job out of the field together with the other humanitarian actors such as the Malawi Red Cross.

“What is important is since the disease is moving around the country that also the operators in the field are flexible and well-coordinated, make sure that their resources move along the peaks of the disease so that they can address it on the spot when the situation worsens to make sure that it doesn’t escalate”.

He urged the government, media and donors to ensure adherence to safe behaviours in combating the outbreak

Skinnebach stated that through intensified campaigns, disinfection and very basic messages on hygiene through access to clean drinking water, the fight against the outbreak can be won.