The Government has authorised the immediate airlift of emergency relief supplies for the victims of the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe.
The shipments, which will arrive in Harare in the next few days, consist of water and sanitation supplies including jerry cans, buckets, soap, oral re-hydration salts and water purification tablets.
Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power activated the rapid response mechanism of Irish Aid this morning.
Mr Power said: “These items will meet a specific request from the Irish NGO, Goal, whose staff are doing a terrific job in responding to the cholera crisis in Zimbabwe.
“This airlift consists of urgently required water and sanitation supplies which will be distributed by Goal to benefit 30,000 Zimbabwean families dealing with the current crisis".
Over 1,000 people have died in Zimbabwe as a result of cholera infection, while a further 20,000 have contracted the illness.