Saving Orphans from Cholera Outbreak

When a cholera outbreak was identified last fall, HRI quickly jumped into action implementing multiple life-saving activites in 13 HRI supported orphanages. 

On October 1, 2022, the Haitian Ministry of Health reported a resurgence of cholera in Port-au-Prince. This came a decade after Haiti had one of the worst cholera epidemics in modern history in 2010, with more than 800,000 cases and 10,000 deaths. That epidemic was brought under control through a comprehensive response that included cholera treatment; improvements in drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene; case investigation; decontamination of water sources; and oral cholera vaccination of 2.5 million people.

When the 2022 cholera outbreak was first identified in Port-au-Prince, HRI's team quickly identified 15 cases in the first few weeks at two orphanages we support. Thanks to our quick action, those 15 children were isolated and received immediate treatment that saved their lives. There were also another 143 orphans in these two orphanages who were spared from contracting the deadly disase in what could have been a massive tragedy were HRI not there.

Additionally, our team has prevented cholera from breaching the walls of 11 other orphanages, saving hundreds of children! 

Our activities have included but are not limited to:

• hand washing stations
• health trainings with children and staff 
• awareness / health training posters 
• additional clean water distributions 
• establishing leadership groups whereby older teen orphans look after younger childen to help ensure they are washing appropriately 
• and much more

These activites have stopped and prevented the spread of not only cholera, but several water-borne deadly disases. 

Thank you for your support of these critical programs for orphans! 

Links:

• Activating Cholera Rapid Response Team