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FROM RELIEF WEB:

Haitians brace themselves for storm amid cholera

Source: Plan

Date: 01 Nov 2010

1 November 2010: Health workers are spreading the word on how to prevent cholera as people in Haiti's sprawling 'tented cities' brace themselves for a strong tropical storm.

It is feared the potentially destructive storm could hamper so far successful efforts to contain the outbreak of cholera in Haiti's capital, Port au Prince.

An estimated 1.3 million displaced people are still living in temporary camps following January's massive earthquake.

Health risks exacerbated

It is feared that the torrential rain could exacerbate health risks in the over-crowded camps. Widespread evacuation is not an option for so many people – as there is nowhere else for them to shelter.

"People living in the temporary settlement camps are extremely vulnerable in this current situation," explained Oumar Doumbouya Plan's water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program manager.

"They are living in close quarters and sharing personal items. We can prevent the spread of the disease by practicing simple hygiene."

Cholera prevention

Plan has spread the word on health and hygiene methods to avoid cholera to around 27,000 people in different regions, running awareness-raising sessions in schools, playgroups, churches communities and camps.

It has also distributed more than 1,000 cholera prevention kits to families in 8 camps and run health awareness sessions in schools. Distribution of kits to school children will start this week. The family kits contain soap, water purification tablets, and oral rehydration salts appropriately called Sèl Lavi, meaning "life salts".

Health experts say that 80 percent of the cholera cases can be successfully treated with such kits along with safer water and sanitation.

A health messaging campaign has also been spread in conjunction with the Civil Protection Department, with volunteers informing thousands of passengers on local transport.

So far there have been 330 deaths and more than 4,700 confirmed cases in cholera mainly in the Artibonite, Central, West, North and Northwest regions of Haiti.

The impending storm once more highlights the multiple vulnerabilities of Haiti and underscores the need to strengthen disaster preparedness.

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