Source:
http://newsroom.redcross.org/2010/10/22/disaster-update-cholera-outbreak-in-haiti/
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The Red Cross network has launched a rapid and coordinated response. On Wednesday, October 20 a Red Cross truck loaded with medical supplies was sent to a hospital in St Marc that is handling many of the cases. These supplies include IV fluids, oral serum, antibiotics, first aid kits, and water filters.
On Friday, October 22, another two trucks are departing Port au Prince carrying 31,000 liters of clean water, chlorine, cholera kits, surgical masks and gloves, aquatabs, as well as large tents and sleeping mats to increase the hospital’s capacity. Teams of Red Cross health and water/sanitation experts are standing by to assist as needed.
The American Red Cross, which is running the largest health promotion effort in the camps of Port-au-Prince, has offered support by making available it health and water/sanitation experts, and has been asked to provide large quantities of chlorine to support the operation of water treatment plants.
As of Thursday, October 21, the Red Cross network began sending SMS text messages to people in the affected region advising them on good hygiene and sanitation practices. Two text messages per day will be sent to the affected region for at least several days.
In an effort to control the spread of disease, the government has also imposed a sanitary cordon around the affected area.
The Red Cross is working closely with the government’s Ministry of Health and Department of Civil Protection to support local health and water systems in response to this outbreak. The Red Cross is also coordinating its response with the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations in Haiti.
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http://www.ifrc.org/news/index.asp?navid=06_01
2 February 2010
“Haiti: thousands helped at mobile clinic”
It’s just before nine o’clock in the morning when the Finnish Red Cross car pulls up at Place Jeremy in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince. Two doctors, three nurses and a midwife get out and walk to the tent that has been erected in the square. Haitian Red Cross volunteers help carry four boxes of medicines and other medical supplies to the tent, along with a couple of tables and some chairs. In ten minutes, the clinic is ready to receive its first patients.
See website at latest news for full story!
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HEALTH CLUSTER:
American Red Cross: Renzo Benfatto - Response Team Leader 011-509-3846-1750 renzo.benfatto @xtra.co.nz