Saving Orphans from Cholera Outbreak

After more than 3 years without new cases of Cholera, Haitian Ministry of health and the office Of Civil Protection reported a cholera outbreak in October 2022. As of November 7, 2022, the MSPP reported over 600 confirmed cholera cases and over 6,500 suspected cases in the greater Port-au-Prince area. Our Hunger Relief International team with the support of donors like you responding rapidly coordinated support with the Centre Hospitalier Ste Catherine Laboure (CHOSCAL)  medical staff of Cite Soleil in addressing a rapid response for refugees, camps, and displaced communities to prevent this cholera outbreak from spreading further.

To help the community of Cité Soleil as well as the dozen orphanages HRI supports regularly, HRI committed to address the challenges related to health care, procurement, and prevention. HRI has not hesitated to support several activities since October 2022, including the distribution of hygiene kits, medical supplies, donation of medicines, educational activities, and human resources support.  WASH activities have been one of HRI priorities. We have provided dozens of handwashing training sessions. People infected with cholera, depending on their level of dehydration, have been transferred by HRI to Cholera Treatment Centers (CTC).  HRI also supported the children by distributing anti-parasitic medications as well as vitamins and other medical products.

HRI contributed significantly to improve the sanitation, infrastructure and strengthening cholera treatment which reduced cholera spread in the camp for internally displaced persons and in Cite Solei. Improving case management efforts in coordination with CHOSCAL also contributed to reduce the mortality rate among people infected with cholera.

Despite HRI efforts, the situation remains dangerous for families in Cite Soleil, Solino, and some orphanages especially communities affected by violence and gangs’ control. The lack of water and roadblocks have increased the occurrence of new cases since mid-October 2023. New cases were reported in these areas where the minimum of hygiene remains low.

HRI considers the fight against cholera as a priority and a major asset to prevent the spread of it.

Summary of HRI impact

The reports for the period of intervention shows the following:

1. Number of average patients seen per month: 300 to 515 patients.
2. Number of suspect cholera cases seen per month at the camps: 30 to 86 patients including children.
3. Number of kids under 5 treated for cholera at the camp per month: 35 to 98.
4. Around 3,000 refugees had access to clean water and some families received aqua tabs and hygiene kits.
5. Four kids were evacuated emergently by HRI staff for emergency care.

Direct support to Ste Catherine medical team:

1. Health care delivery through the availability of HRI’s medical doctor, nurse, logistics staff and social worker.
2. Thousands of medical supplies and medications donated by HRI.
3. Infrastructure support (chairs, folding chairs and tables, tents) donated by HRI.
4. WASH: Hand washing stations, sanitary products, hand sanitizers, soaps donated by HRI.
5. Awareness, sensitizations, and prevention activities on site conducted by HRI staff (doctor, nurse, social worker, program staff).

Together, we are saving the lives of orphans, children, adults and whole families! Thank you for partnering with HRI!

Links:

• HRI website
• HRI Facebook for Frequent Updates
• HRI Twitter for Frequent Updates

HRI was founded to address a prevalent and overwhelming need for improved access to secure sources of nourishing food following a catastrophic earthquake in 2010 which exacerbated conditions in the poorest country in the hemisphere: Haiti. HRI has since responded to multiple natural and manmade disasters including earthquakes, hurricanes, pandemics, and civil unrest.

Most recently, we addressed the 2022-23 cholera outbreak by establishing a rapid response team. We provided handwashing stations in high-traffic, vulnerable areas, distributed aqua tabs, and implemented other WASH (water, sanitattion and hygiene) activities. At the same time, HRI provided medical care, WASH services, and psychosocial support to internally displaced persons (IDP) from Cite Soleil. We facilitated the operations of a mobile medical clinic in response to the cholera outbreak to IDP camps and orphanages by providing direct support in the form of equipment, medicines, and patient referrals, as well as additional medical staff support.

As a result, we stopped the spread of cholera in more than a dozen orphanages within one week and slowed the spread of this highly contagious disease in IDP camps! We are pleased to report our orphanges have remained 100% free of cholera the entire first half of 2023! This is thanks to partners like you who help us ensure orphanages have all the supplies and clean water they need to keep children safe. 

This past month we expanded our WASH services to three more schools to help prevent the spread of cholera there as well. More to come on that when school starts back in a few months! 

Thank you for your continued support.

Links:

• Website
• 2022 Annual Report