In pictures: Zimbabwe cholera

woman fetching water [photo: Daniel Dickinson/European Commission Humanitarian Aid department]

A year after the outbreak of Africa's worst ever cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe, communities across the country are getting clean and safe water.

child [photo: Daniel Dickinson/European Commission Humanitarian Aid department]

In Chitungwiza, just outside the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, people no longer have to fetch water from contaminated shallow wells - a breeding ground for the water-borne disease.

child drinking [photo: Daniel Dickinson/European Commission Humanitarian Aid department]

Six-year-old Fortune recalls that he was not allowed to go and play with his friends, because his mother was worried he would catch the highly contagious illness.

sick child [photo: Daniel Dickinson/European Commission Humanitarian Aid department]

An unprecedented 98,000 cases of cholera were recorded following the outbreak in August 2008. There were almost 4,300 deaths, 170 of them in Chitungwiza. This boy survived.

Man at road manhole [photo: Daniel Dickinson/European Commission Humanitarian Aid department]

The collapse of the water infrastructure system was widely blamed for the size of the epidemic, with many people fetching water from contaminated sources.

Tadious Maruta [photo: Daniel Dickinson/European Commission Humanitarian Aid department]

Work has started on rehabilitating the water system. Tadious Maruta from the Prince Edward Dam Water Works said: "We have repaired broken machinery and now we can provide a constant supply of water to Chitungwiza."

armful of soap and leaflets [photo: Daniel Dickinson/European Commission Humanitarian Aid department]

Residents have also been provided with water purification tablets, hygiene advice and soap. Thirty-six tonnes of soap was handed out in two days.

child carrying water jerrycans [photo: Daniel Dickinson/European Commission Humanitarian Aid department]

Cholera may well return to Zimbabwe when the rainy season starts in October, but people will be both better prepared and have access to clean water. (By Daniel Dickinson/European Commission Humanitarian Aid dept)