* KITS, HYGIENE KITS available at Handicap International (2010 Haiti Earthquake)

FROM RELIEF WEB: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/AZHU-8BJU3F?OpenDocument

Cholera in Haiti: nearly 240 tonnes of aid transported
Source: Handicap International
Date: 25 Nov 2010

Our team on the ground in Haiti is taking action to combat the relentless spread of the cholera epidemic.

Since 22nd October, the logistics platform in Haiti, managed by Handicap International in partnership with the World Food Programme, has already transported 240 tonnes of aid for the prevention and treatment of cholera.

In the last month, the all-purpose 4x4 lorries and platform trucks donated by the Clinton Foundation have also provided support for a dozen humanitarian stakeholders engaged in the fight against cholera, by transporting humanitarian aid to Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitien, Gonaïves, Saint-Marc and Jacmel.

Hygiene kits (74 tonnes), medication (76 tonnes), food, (23 tonnes), medical kits (17 tonnes) and various other types of equipment have been sent to a number of different humanitarian orgnisations, including Action Against Hunger, the Red Cross, Doctors of the World, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme and Unicef.

Making sure disabled people are included

Forty-eight hours after the epidemic was confirmed, Handicap International disseminated guidelines on taking people with disabilities into consideration when managing the cholera response. These went to partners and other stakeholders working in healthcare, the protection of persons and camp management.

Already disproportionally affected by problems accessing general health services (lack of information and transport), people with disabilities are especially vulnerable in such circumstances. The poor sanitary conditions in which many people are currently living contribute to the spread of epidemics; disabled people may be dependent on family and friends even to get washed.

Preventing the spread of disease

All Handicap International's Haitian staff members have received comprehensive training on the risk of cholera contamination and the hygiene measures which should be taken. Since 26th October, mobile awareness-raising teams have been visiting communities based at the disability centres run by Handicap International and its partner CBM in the Port-au-Prince urban area and in the towns of Petit-Goâve, Grand-Goâve and Gonaïves.

The messages delivered aim to improve understanding of the disease and the measures to be taken, notably in terms of hygiene (using soap and latrines, food preparation, treating water, preparing rehydration serum, advice for looking after those affected by the disease and dealing with the deceased). Awareness-raising was also carried out to ensure that those affected by the disease are not stigmatised.

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