Veneman, the first head of a UN agency to visit Zimbabwe in three years, visited a cholera treatment center and a program that helps support over 250,000 orphans and vulnerable children. Her findings were at variance with claims by President Robert Mugabe that the outbreak had been “arrested.”

“The cholera outbreak is the tip of the iceberg. The economy is crumbling, with the highest inflation rate in the world at 231 million percent,” said Veneman.

She said that the UN would avail US$5 million for incentives for health sector workers as Zimbabwe is battling an on-going cholera outbreak and the effects of collapsing social services. Veneman said the money would be channeled through a Trust Fund set up in conjunction with other donors.

“Over half the population is receiving food aid, health centers have closed,” she said as she met with president Mugabe and key stakeholders on Friday. Their discussions underscored the humanitarian impact on women and children.

UNICEF and partners have been responding to the emergency, providing vital equipment to cholera treatment centers. Over the next four months UNICEF will support the drilling of 100 boreholes in areas in need of water. The UN children’s agency has also been providing 70 percent of the country’s essential medicines.

“More than ever before all stakeholders must put children at the forefront of their collective agenda,” said Veneman.

The cholera outbreak has claimed 2,200 lives in Zimbabwe and government’s efforts to contain the outbreak have been eroded by an economic collapse that has been blamed on Mugabe.