Port-au-Prince, 24 October 2010
Cholera outbreak situation overview and ACT members' activities:
The Ministry of Health has confirmed the cholera outbreak in the Departement of Artibonite and the Central Plateau. More than 3,000 persons were hospitalized and 253 have died. A total of five cases were diagnosed in Port-au-Prince, all had travelled from the Artibonite. The Ministry of Health is in the process of starting a public campaign to prevent further spread. The MoH is coordinating the response with the Direction Nationale de l'Eau Potable et Assinissmenet (DINEPA), and with the health cluster and the wash cluster. The logistic cluster is coordinating the set up of health units and provision of treatment by the World Health Organisation and major NGOs involved in the health sectors. All ACT members have been active in taking prevention measures through information sharing with staff, partners and beneficiary communities and distribution of hygiene kits and aquatabs in the camps as outlined below.
NCA is working intensively with partners in the camps/neighbourhoods of present response in water and sanitation and hygiene promotion mostly in Bel Air and Cite Soleil. Meetings have been held with hygiene promoters and public health teams/brigades to inform them of measures to be taken. Support and input have been given by the medical team of NCA partner Viva Rio. NCA is intensifying the support to ensure that WASH cluster objectives are attained, including the increase of the dosage of chlorine from 0.5mg to 1mg for the water, and increase the cleaning of latrines 2-3 times a day. In addition, efforts are made to ensure that all partners are aware and promote the Ministry of Health key messages concerning the protection against cholera/measures to be taken if falling ill. NCA has stocked materials that are being used but has requested more cleaning items from Government of Haiti water agency DINEPA through the wash cluster and will continue to do so. Aggressive chlorination is critical for the strategy of DINEPA to fight the disease alongside with the mobilization of people to protect themselves through safe practices. NCA plans also to strengthen its staff to support the response especially in support to the work on hygiene promotion. As water and sanitation provider, NCA will be involved in a critical issue of the whole response to the epidemic. NCA has been sharing all information received from the Wash cluster and DINEPA emergency meetings and its hygiene and security experts to ACT members.
LWF has mobilized Camp Committees and posted awareness raising materials in the five Nerette camps in Petion-Ville on Saturday. Additional materials are currently being obtained to enrich packages. Distribution to the 5,000 individuals of the camps started on Sunday for the most vulnerable parts and will continue on Tuesday and Thursday. Kits include chlorine, aquatabs, buckets with lids and jerry cans. Information has been made available on board signs on the distribution purpose and package content as well as tab use instructions. The Shekina camp in Merger/Gressier will be included in a joint distribution with Intersos. LWF has informed its staff and will give them necessary kits for office/house cleaning.
FCA has ordered additional aquatabs in cooperation with LWF for 100,000 people to be distributed in the schools where 20,000 students are now attending classes. LWF will start hygiene promotion activities in the schools. Hygiene kits will be distributed as well.
CWS is ensuring its local partners do public awareness raising to beneficiaries on protecting themselves. CWS has personal hygiene kits available in the ACT warehouse and SSID is on standby in case purchase and transportation to Haiti of chlorine tablets and other items are needed.
ICCO has informed all its partners of its readiness to give any additional support as needed. Christian Aid has contacted its partners to share information about the disease, including GARR which has activities in Plateau Central. Meeting have been held with staff in order to raise awareness on the Cholera outbreak and stocks are being made of rehydration salt, antibiotics, water and hygiene items. Trips to the Northern part of Haiti have been cancelled.
DKH is supporting its partner OSAPO which works in the region of Montrouis, near St-Marc with antibiotics, salt solution, chlorine tabs and soap.
CRWRC has shared information on preventive measures with its staff and partners in the district of Petite Riviere, Leogane.