Elizabeth Byrs, spokeswoman of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has qualified today of "shameful" that the call for emergency funds launched by the UN last November 12 is not yet funded "Of the $ 174 million, the UN has received only 44 million, or 25% of requested funds (cons 20% in early December), whereas it is the top priority" said Ms. Byrs scandalized.

"It is shameful that we have so little money for a disease that currently kills like lightning because people do not have rehydration salts", said Ms. Byrs stating that "we need to act quickly because it is a disease that is very treatable", adding "We must prevent groundwater from being contaminated and increase treatment centers especially in rural areas".

HaitiLibre reminds to the intention of the international community that on November 24, 2010, Dr. Jon Andrus, assistant director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) estimated that there could be up to 400,000 cholera cases in Haiti in the next 12 months, including 200,000 in the next 3 months. Exceeded projections since the government figures are grossly underestimated.

HaitiLibre recalls that since the beginning of the cholera epidemic in Haiti (October 19, 2010), 171.304 people were infected and treated, 95.039 people were hospitalized and 3.651 people died. According to the latest report from the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP), dated of January 1, 2011.

HaïtiLibre recalls that between the time the UN launched its appeal for emergency funds, and January 1, 2011, the number of people infected with cholera in Haiti has been multiplied by 12 from 14.642 to 171.304 cases. The number of deaths was multiplied by 4 from 913 to 3.651. Moreover, while the average of daily case between December 1 and 29 was 2.363 (1 case every 38 seconds), latest reports indicate that between December 30, 2010 and January 1, 2011 the average rose to 4.661 cases per day (1 case every 18 seconds).

It is time to stop ask you if the situation is really grave in Haiti, IT IS, you must act without delay and fulfill your responsibilities of UN member states face to a real health disaster.

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1648-haiti-epidemic-un-needs-$164-million-for-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1733-haiti-cholera-epidemic-an-apocalypse-scenario.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2018-haiti-cholera-epidemic-heavy-toll-of-end-of-year.html

S/ HaitiLibre