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Update on Haiti Cholera Epidemic
Updated 12/22/10
Nearly 2,600 Haitians have died from cholera and more than 63,700 have been hospitalized since an outbreak began on October 19. This water-borne disease, which is easily treatable with antibiotics and rehydration packs, spread from the Artibonite region and now affects all of Haiti’s 10 “departments,” geographic divisions that are similar to counties. Rumors linking the outbreak to the dumping of fecal matter from United Nations (UN) camps into the Artibonite river have sparked anti-UN protests and riots. Experts expect the number of infections to climb, since in many areas – especially in the crowded urban refugee camps – clean water is scarce and sanitation is severely lacking.
To help alleviate this suffering, Episcopal Relief & Development has supported its Haitian partner, CEDDISEC (Centre Diocesain de Developpement et de Secours), in leading a major education initiative on cholera prevention and water purification techniques. These activities were carried out in 16 parishes throughout the Departments of the West and South, as well as in 18 informal urban tent camps around Port-au-Prince. Thirteen health advocates were mobilized and trained to give lessons and hand out pamphlets on proper hygiene, hand washing, waste disposal and disinfection of contaminated areas. Health advocates were also charged with the distribution of life-saving water, water purification and hygiene supplies, as well as rehydration treatments.
As of mid-December, over 23,550 families in Episcopal parishes, schools and urban tent camps had been reached with hygiene education and cholera prevention kits containing the following supplies:
- 6 liters of treated bottled water
- 30 tablets (Aquatabs) for the purification of an extra 75 liters of water
- 1 liter of bleach for the disinfection of contaminated areas and purification of water
- 3 bars of soap for proper hygiene and hand washing
- 6 packets of oral rehydration salts (ORS) for emergency treatment of people showing signs of infection
Please return to www.er-d.org/Haiti often as we keep you updated on Episcopal Relief & Development’s earthquake recovery programs. For more information on our work in specific areas of need, visit these pages:
• Employment Opportunities
• Community Recovery
• Food
• Water and Sanitation
• Shelter
• Health Care
• Transportation Support
