UN Says Violence Jeopardizing Cholera Assistance in Haiti
Baku, November 19 (AZERTAC). UN aid agencies say access to health facilities and rapid treatment are key to preventing the spread and escalation of deaths from cholera in Haiti. The aid agencies warn violence is jeopardizing their ability to help the victims.
Latest figures on the cholera epidemic from the Haitian Ministry of Public Health are more than 1,100 deaths and nearly 18,400 hospitalizations. But, UN aid agencies note these statistics are several days old and the true number of deaths and hospitalizations are probably higher.
Cholera is confirmed in seven Haitian regions. Only three remain free of the disease. World Health Organization Communications Officer, Christian Lindmeier has just returned from two weeks in Haiti.
He said aid workers are trying to inform people their lives could depend upon reaching a cholera treatment center quickly. Unfortunately, he says, civil unrest in Haiti is slowing cholera prevention and treatment supplies from reaching affected areas.
The United Nations says vital water, sanitation and hygiene projects are being interrupted. A World Food Program warehouse was looted and burned. Another casualty is a cholera-training program for health professionals. It has had to be halted.
The United Nations is sending 11 trucks full of material to cholera-affected regions on Friday. Two helicopter airlifts also are scheduled.
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