The World Bank Board of Directors yesterday approved a US$15 million grant to help Haiti's efforts to fight the cholera epidemic. On November 24, 2010, the World Bank announced it was preparing a US$10 million emergency grant to fight cholera in Haiti. The figure was increased by US$5 million, totaling the US$15 million approved today by the Board of Directors.

"Haiti needs all the help it can get to respond to the deadly cholera epidemic which is ravaging parts of the country," said Ronald Baudin, Haiti's Minister of Finance. "The continued support of the World Bank will be key for saving lives and re-establishing the public health service network."

Last cholera assessment : since the beginning of the cholera epidemic in Haiti (October 19, 2010), 188.967 people were infected and treated, 105.827 people were hospitalized and 3.838 people died. According to the latest report from the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP), dated of January 11, 2011.

This Cholera Emergency Response Grant will finance public and non-public efforts on the ground to respond to emergency cholera needs at the departmental level, including provision of urgent care and treatment for affected populations and vulnerable groups as well as preventive interventions at the community level.

In addition, the grant will strengthen the emergency response capacity of the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) and the Haitian National Directorate of Water Supply and Sanitation (DINEPA). Specifically, this new funding will provide technical assistance to help improve the state's early warning response to outbreaks, monitor incidents, strengthen medical waste management, and build implementation capacity.

"Key to the success of these efforts is the joint response to the emergency, involving not only agencies and NGOs but, especially, the Haitians themselves," said Alexandre Abrantes, the World Bank Special Envoy to Haiti. "The new grant will be used to contract experienced NGOs for immediate cholera response activities and strengthen the capacity of the Government to respond to the epidemic."

Since the beginning of the outbreak [October 19, 2010], in late October, to coordinate the response of the government and its partners. This assistance has supported the setup and manning of the National Emergency Operation Center and management of the national campaign "Konbit kont Kolera" which raises awareness on cholera and its prevention.

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2068-haiti-reconstruction-110-million-from-the-world-bank-for-early-2011.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2122-haiti-cholera-epidemic-the-peak-of-infection-is-still-not-reached.html

HL/ HaitiLibre