‘Haitians are coming together to face the cholera crisis’: A UN Resident Coordinator Blog |
“I visited several nursing homes in the most affected areas of Port-au-Prince and saw heart-wrenching scenes; Children who are so malnourished, it is difficult to wash their arms or legs; The old man was clearly very sick.
What struck me immediately was the strong smell of chlorine disinfectant, which was used to sterilize the area immediately, it was clear that the facility was well run by health workers who knew how to prevent and treat the disease. I saw workers cleaning the floors and surfaces to make sure that the cholera virus could not spread further.
Ulrika Richardson (center), UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti visits a tuberculosis treatment center in Port-au-Prince.
I am very impressed and impressed by the commitment and dedication of the health workers. I met many inspiring people who have shown this work, and who also show humanity and great empathy with the patients under treatment. Many have told me that Haitians are coming together to survive this difficult time.
Sharp development in cases
Until a few days ago, the increase of tuberculosis cases was gradual but now we are seeing an alarming increase, so the situation has become more challenging.
It is important to remember that although tuberculosis can be fatal, it is preventable and treatable. Speed is essential, to contain an outbreak and save lives. I believe that the public health response from the Haitian authorities, local and international NGOs, with UN support, is immediate and decisive, despite the lack of clean water, and the fuel needed to power the health facilities and enable staff to reach. operate.
Cholera treatment centers were quickly set up to treat patients. The people of Haiti have lived through cholera before, so our knowledge and experience are very valuable if we are to prevent the outbreak from happening.
The inability of people to move freely, especially in the capital Port-au-Prince, due to the prevailing security situation and the lack of fuel, may also have played a role in the spread, although this insecurity has also complicated the response. the. .
The Haitian response
PAHO staff train local health workers on stroke recognition and prevention.
Since day one of the outbreak, the UN in Haiti, with national and international partners, has worked alongside the Ministry of Health. Public health messages from the Ministry of Health, on the radio and through text messages, which are supported by the UN, have emphasized the importance of preventive measures such as hand washing and disinfecting.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has supported our partners to open 13 stroke treatment centers. Oral rehabilitation sites are also being established, especially in hard-to-reach areas, to treat minor cases and refer others to patient facilities, while assistance has been provided to train 300 community health workers. These workers are important, because many communities have been isolated due to armed group violence.
UNICEF and the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) are supporting the Haitian authorities and partner organizations with chlorine, water tablets, hygiene kits and medical supplies such as oral saline. UNICEF, through its partners is also running mobile health clinics in Cité Soleil, the most affected area of the capital.
The humanitarian situation in Haiti is hopeless for many and cholera is a pressing challenge. The increasing hunger faced by many Haitians is another major concern that needs to be addressed. The World Food Program has resumed its food distribution in Cité Soleil, reaching 5500 vulnerable people since mid-October.
Manager and troubleshooting
As the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, my role is to facilitate the UN response in a way to increase our effectiveness and ensure that all our knowledge and skills effectively support the Ministry of Health’s humanitarian prevention and treatment process.
This means making links, whether here in Haiti with national institutions or with different areas of the UN, so that our collective effort is greater than the sum of its parts.
In fact, I was impressed not only by the speed of mobilization of companies and colleagues on the ground but also by the attention and action of the most senior leaders in all the countries of the world.
A can-do attitude is important; when there are bottlenecks, for example the lack of fuel for maintenance companies, I am called to help solve the problem.
Ultimately, our shared goal is to work toward a disease-free Haiti and since the latest outbreak, I have witnessed first-hand the UN’s commitment to the people of Haiti.
Since its creation, the United Nations and Haiti have shared a strong bond. Now is the time again for the UN and Haitians to come together to address this crisis so that Haiti and its people emerge stronger and more united as the country continues on the path to stability, equality and prosperity.
- UN Chief Executive Officer
- The UN Resident Coordinator, sometimes called the RC, is the highest-ranking representative of the UN development program at the country level.
- In this occasional series, UN News invites RCs to blog on issues important to the United Nations and the country where they work.
- Learn more about the work of the UN in Haiti.
