The logistics capacity of humanitarian organizations working in Zimbabwe has been greatly overstretched in the past few months owing to a cholera epidemic affecting much of the country. In November 2008, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) requested the World Food Programme (WFP), in its role as Logistics Cluster Lead, to assist these organizations.
Through a ‘Special Operation’, WFP intends to support the efforts of the humanitarian community and local authorities in their efforts to respond to the outbreak of cholera. The operation provides for the assets, equipment, staff and systems necessary to ensure an uninterrupted supply chain of life-saving relief items to the affected areas:
This Special Operation will have run for six months at a cost of US$ 1,175,194.