2016 (DATA FROM 1ST JANUARY TO 2nd APRIL)
‐13.859 SUSPECTED CHOLERA CASES FROM 1 JANUARY TO 2 APRIL 2016 IN HAITI
‐118.000 PEOPLE TARGETED FOR THE VACCINATION IN ARCHAHIE IN APRIL AND MAY
‐THE RAPID RESPONSE MECHANISM IS FUNDED ONLY UNTIL SEPTEMBER AND NEEDS 9.8 M
Current situation
The Ministry of Public Health and Population in Haiti (MSPP) has reported 13.859 suspected cholera cases and 150 cholera related deaths from 1st January to 30 April 2016. Even though a downward trend was observed starting from early February, the United Nations in Haiti strongly encourages all parties to remain vigilant. According to PAHO/WHO and UNICEF´s experts, extreme vulnerability to cholera persists in many areas of the country and outbreaks can spark in any department, often due to internal displacements of people moving from the most affected areas, as well as other external factors, such as accentuated water scarcity due to 3 years of drought (which can force people to use non‐potable water), localized and short heavy rainfall, and the political situation, since instability may hinder local response and reduce Government capacity.
Urgency to maintain the rapid response
The United Nations encourages all partners and donors to maintain the alert and rapid response system to cholera. In this regard, the UN alerts about the fact that the current mechanism is only adequately funded until September, having a gap of USD 9.8M. Failure to maintain the rapid response mechanism could result in longer or more severe outbreaks, such as witnessed in Marigot, Pilate and the North‐East recently, and an increase in suspected cases.