Zomba District has marked two consecutive years without recording a single cholera case, a milestone authorities say reflects strengthened community engagement and improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) systems.
District Commissioner for Zomba, Reinghard Chavula, highlighted the achievement on Wednesday during the first Annual District WASH Forum, noting that the district has made significant strides despite facing extensive damage to WASH infrastructure following Cyclone Freddy.
According to Chavula, the cyclone destroyed boreholes, water pipelines and sanitation facilities across several communities, and many of these structures are still awaiting rehabilitation.
“Our progress in eliminating cholera shows what coordinated action can achieve. The collaborative approach among government officials, development partners, and community members has played a key role in preventing water-borne diseases,” said Chavula.
Country Manager for Heart to Heart Foundation, Maxwell Chiputula, welcomed the forum’s inclusivity, saying allowing community voices to shape discussions and decisions is essential for sustainable progress.
“This forum ensures that community experiences guide interventions. We will continue supporting Zomba until the project’s completion,” explained Chiputula
He also added that the organisation is committed to strengthening local resilience and supporting the district’s recovery from the cyclone’s impact.
The meeting brought together WASH stakeholders from Zomba District to discuss challenges, share progress, and map out strategies for improving water and sanitation.
The WASH Forum was partly funded by Heart to Heart Foundation, which is implementing the Community Participatory Integrated WASH Improvement Project in Traditional Authority M’biza with financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
