Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
Haiti, March 22, 2025 – The last thing Haiti needs is a resurgence of Cholera in the country, but it appears cases are rising and so is concern at the United Nations, whose team on the ground points to a need for water and sanitation supplies.
“Since the beginning of the year, more than 900 suspected cases and four confirmed cases have been recorded nationwide,” explained the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General.
“OCHA also warns that years of underfunding for the humanitarian response means that millions of Haitians are missing out on the essential support they need.”
Interventions and support have lost their grip on the situation which became a real problem in the aftermath of the infrastructure and human resources depleting earthquake of 2010.
The radical gang-led violence which has driven more than one million people from their homes and terrorized citizens and systems, is continuing to take a toll on the land. The UN says densely populated ‘Sun City’ is showing the highest spike.
“In Cité Soleil, more than 100 suspected cases have been reported in the past three weeks. The deteriorating security situation hinders access for surveillance teams and response efforts, raising concerns about undetected community transmission.”
The Government and the World Health Organization (WHO) are jointly responding to the outbreak by providing medicine and medical supplies and setting up rehydration and chlorination points, informed a March 20 report.
“Funding for water, sanitation and hygiene services is particularly low, with only $3.6 million out of the required $87 million received. Additionally, just less than 30 percent of health facilities with beds across the country – and just over 40 per cent in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area – are fully operational.”
The World Health Organization, WHO informs that Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease that can be fatal within hours if not treated. Quick access to treatment is crucial. Adding that researchers estimate that there are 1.3 to 4.0 million cases and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths from cholera worldwide each year.
Photo by Lizaj Lakay News
