Haiti - Epidemic : The cholera takes advantage of riots...

Following the unrest that followed the publication of preliminary election results, on November 7, several hundred thousand liters of drinking water could not be distributed, and access to cholera treatment centers was restricted with as direct consequence the developement of cholera.

More than 300 cases of cholera have been admitted last week in treatment centers supported by the medical NGO Alima (The Alliance for International Medical Action) in Petionville and Delmas, as much as since the beginning of its activities there is one month. Others actors involved in care also find a significant increase in neighborhood previously less affected by the epidemic.

"The roadblocks in the city have paralyzed our operations to supply about 645,000 liters of drinking water per day, emptying latrines and sanitation, creating the conditions for an expansion of the epidemic in neighborhoods and IDP camps" says Grégory Bulit of the NGO International Solidarity.

The next steps in the electoral process make fears of a significant risk of disorder. If NGOs signatories reaffirm their position of neutrality in this process, they would like to remind all parties the importance of relief efforts during the cholera epidemic "A break, even of few days or few hours of drinking water in particular, still has dramatic consequences for the entire Haitian population. In this spirit, all participants must feel responsible, firstly, of the fact that access to care of patients with cholera is never restricted and that, secondly, the distribution of relief, giving priority to drinking water, does not know any reduction".

These last days, to reduce the impact of this outbreak, Solidarity International has stepped up efforts to ensure the supply of chlorinated water in the affected sites, and also increased the presence of hygiene awareness to inform people on the simple ways to protect themselves from disease.

Besides providing drinking water by tanker truck on the sites and ALIMA treatment centers, the team of international solidarity has set up 11 chlorination points in sensitive areas, supports approximately 217 hygiene promoters , chlorinators, latrine cleaners and sprayers (disinfection of households) in the sites and areas affected.

The joint project Solidarity International-Alima is funded by the Humanitarian Aid Office of the European Commission - ECHO.

Cholera assessment: Since the beginning of the epidemic of cholera in the country (October 19, 2010), 114.497 people were infected and treated, 58.190 people were hospitalized and 2.535 people died. According to the most recent assessment of MSPP, dated of December 14, 2010. Note that these figures are grossly underestimated by the government, according to health experts from the UN.

See also :
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1905-haiti-epidemic-cholera-and-political-crisis-the-situation-in-haiti.html
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1898-haiti-epidemic-risk-of-worsening-of-cholera-in-the-metropolitan-area.html