UNICEF to withdraw Zimbabwe water treatment deal

The Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe says government should come up with measures that ensure a smooth transition next year when United Nations Children's Emergency Fund, UNICEF finally withdraws the multi-million dollar water treatment partnership with local authorities.

While the country is already grappling with water problems, the situation is set to worsen next year as the (UNICEF) will be pulling out from a critical multi-million dollar water treatment partnership with local authorities.

The development will leave more than four million people – one in every three Zimbabweans at risk of contracting serious water-borne diseases such as cholera if no measures are put in place urgently to mitigate the withdrawal.

Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe Secretary General, Mr. Francis Duri says the future looks bleak as most local authorities have confirmed that they will not be able to cope as they have been largely dependent on the support from UNICEF.

UNICEF was supplying 20 urban and rural councils, including Harare, with free water treatment chemicals and will stop this critically-needed assistance in February next year. Harare alone requires about two million dollars for water treatment chemicals.