THIS PETITION IS NOW CLOSED! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION. Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper, We, the undersigned, ask you to take decisive action to address the acute humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. Since August 2008, over 3000 people have died and nearly 60,000 have been infected by an unprecedented cholera epidemic sweeping the country. Canada should take a leadership role in addressing both the political and humanitarian situation to ensure that no more lives are needlessly lost. The cholera crisis is a 'Man-Made disaster', an outcome of the failure of the government of Zimbabwe to serve its most basic state functions for its citizens, according to a report released by Physicians for Human Rights ( PHR). Endless political neglect has contributed to the collapse of the most basic water and sanitation services, fuelling the cholera epidemic. Hospitals and clinics have shut down due to a lack of drugs, medical supplies and unpaid and impoverished health-workers. U.N. estimates indicate that over 5.5 million people face starvation and less than 23% of the population have access to safe drinking water. The United Nations recently appealed for an overall $567 million in international humanitarian aid, as the crisis continues to escalate. The international community must immediately step up its aid contributions to stop the epidemic, and revive the country's public health infrastructure. We, the undersigned call on the Canadian government, to take immediate and decisive action, by following the recommendations of Physicians for Human Rights (PHR): A. Assure that a responsive, legitimate government is in place that can protect the right to health of the people of Zimbabwe. B. Deliver immediate and robust humanitarian aid and medicine into the country, demanding that the government remove all obstructions to this assistance. C. Intervene to re-open and support the hospitals and medical school, and assure vital infrastructure, supplies, safety and support so that health workers can care for their patients. Please also indicate in the COMMENTS box: - Your postal/zip code - If you will be FASTING on February 10th

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