Haiti working with CARICOM to resolve cholera problem

(Caribbean 360) – Some 15,000 Haitians are down to benefit from a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) spearheaded project geared to help combat the cholera outbreak that has killed more than 6,600 Haitians and sickened in excess of 475,000.

The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiative seeks to improve sanitation infrastructure and sensitize residents of a community in Cite Soleil of safe personal and community hygiene.

It would improve access to 25 toilet blocks and hand-washing stations for approximately 3000 families in the neighborhood of Brooklyn, a section of Cite Soleil in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, the Caricom Secretariat said.

“Additionally, an effective strategy for promoting proper hygiene practices is being developed as part of the cholera response activities. CARICOM is also providing medical supplies as part of its assistance to the Government of Haiti in combating the cholera epidemic.”

Haiti had requested CARICOM assistance to bolster its national strategy to fight the epidemic that struck last year.

“The area of Cite Soleil was recommended by the designated National Water and Sanitation Agency (DINEPA) for assistance in this regard. The project is being carried out with funding support from the Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID) and in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) as the implementing agency,” CARICOM stated.

“…It is hoped that the CARICOM WASH project, which will also assist in maintaining the cleanliness of the neighborhood through a plastic bottle recycling project, will contribute to a similar transformation in the Brooklyn community.”

CARICOM said the WASH Project is part of its continuing efforts to assist Haiti’s recovery efforts since the March 2010 earthquake and the cholera outbreak.