International Relief & Development (IRD) - 2010 Haiti Earthquake

http://www.ird.org/what/stories/haiti_cholera_response.html

Port-au-Prince, Haiti - October 29, 2010 - The recent news of the widespread cholera infection in rural northern Haiti caught many off guard in the United States, not only because it has been nearly 100 years since the last outbreak of cholera in the U.S. but also because the living conditions of many Haitians had faded from their minds. The reports of over 3,000 infected and nearly 300 dead – numbers that continue to grow – are jarring, especially when the disease is largely preventable with modern water and sanitation facilities. Equally disconcerting are the handful of confirmed cases in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, where millions are living in densely-populated temporary shelters as the country rebuilds. The effects of a rapidly spreading infection could be devastating.

Earlier this week, IRD announced a multi-faceted program in cooperation with the Government of Haiti, the United Nations and other non-governmental organizations to treat the infected and halt the spread of the disease. A key component of this response is the distribution of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) packets. Cholera can lead to severe dehydration, which, untreated, can result in death. Often, access to ORT can mean the difference between life and death. To date, IRD has distributed 64,000 ORT packets to Haitians. In addition, IRD is intensifying its hand washing and sanitation education campaigns to promote good hygiene and stem the spread of infection.

The cholera outbreak response is just one component of IRD’s broad efforts to provide reconstruction and humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010. The field team includes rapid response and assessment experts, as well as authorities in refugee camp management, public health and infrastructure. The initial focus of IRD’s efforts was on the provision of basic humanitarian aid: clean water, food, sanitation, medicines and shelter.

While those needs remain paramount, IRD is also concerned with long-term stability and reconstruction in Haiti. With an eye toward civil stabilization and community development, projects like creating large-scale water sanitation systems and water are the next target of IRD’s work in Haiti. These efforts will be critical in developing the infrastructure necessary to help prevent future outbreak of preventable disease.
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