Cholera Response Project - CATFUND

Chawama Sub-district and Chilanga District.

Cholera Response Project Summary

Keepers Zambia Foundation, in partnership with Oxfam Zambia, implemented a cholera response project in Lusaka and Chilanga districts to combat the severe cholera outbreak affecting Zambia. This was funded under Oxfam’s Catastrophe Funding (CATFUND), and the project targeted cholera-prone peri-urban areas like Chawama and Chilanga, where poor sanitation and limited access to clean water heightened vulnerability. Through a coordinated effort with the Ministry of Health, local authorities, and community-based volunteers, the project aimed to reduce cholera-related morbidity and mortality by promoting hygiene, distributing WASH supplies, and establishing cholera prevention systems.

Key interventions included training 75 Community-Based Volunteers (CBVs) to lead door-to-door awareness campaigns, WHO reached over 110,000 people with hygiene and cholera prevention messages. The project distributed WASH Non-Food Items (NFIs), such as chlorine, Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), soap, and tapped buckets, to over 22,500 households, benefiting 95,147 people directly. Additionally, 30 Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs) were established to provide timely rehydration and health information, reducing the strain on healthcare facilities. Schools also received support with handwashing stations and hygiene training, benefiting 376 teachers and over 47,000 pupils.

The project showcased innovative approaches such as drama performances to spread cholera awareness and collaboration with local entities for toilet desludging. Despite challenges, including limited funds for desludging and disinfectants, the project highlighted the effectiveness of using local CBVs who understand community dynamics and can promote trust among community members. Keepers Zambia Foundation and Oxfam Zambia demonstrated the importance of community engagement, effective partnerships, and timely action in addressing public health emergencies, contributing to the control and prevention of cholera in Zambia’s high-risk communities.