For a week, Haiti is the theater of scenes of violence in the Haitian population. WHO is currently receiving reports of cholera victims dying in the streets because they are unable to reach health facilities in time because of insecurity.

MINUSTAH (UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti) became the direct target of the riots that demanded its departure. Médecins sans frontières, which opened its first treatment center in Cap Haitien, was unable to continue the implementation of the second center in Port-au-Prince. Dr. Roses MSF confirmed on the place : "The situation of violence and insecurity now threatens to severely limit our success". WHO teams have to interrupt a large part of their work in support of the cholera treatment centers, training of health personnel and delivery of supplies to affected communities. Some members of WHO are even confined to their homes since violence erupted.

Mortality rates, in case of absence of access to care may be multiplied by 4 alert WHO. Because violence and insecurity, are currently obstacle to medical care for cholera, the provision of training and delivery of critical supplies. The World Health Organization calls on the Government of Haiti, urging him to support health professionals and rescue teams. Some members of the WHO are currently confined to their homes since violence broke out earlier this week in the North.

Every hour, where the efforts of emergency medical teams are unable to act because of demonstrations and other obstacles on the ground, equals more deaths by cholera of Haitians, summarized Dr. Mirta Roses, PAHO Director. "We understand the frustration of many Haitians because of the tragic situation that has developed, but emergency medical personnel is equally important to save lives as the rescue teams were after the earthquake".

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1683-haiti-epidemic-violence-endangers-humanitarian-aid-in-north.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1681-haiti-insecurity-the-minustah-is-it-able-to-ensure-the-safety.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1674-haiti-social-riot-in-cap-haitien-16-wounded-2-dead.html

HL/ HaitiLibre