FROM THE WEBSITE 1-21-11:
The impact of cholera
Plan teams have run awareness campaigns in hundreds of communities to highlight the importance of good hygiene practices, teach families how to recognize the symptoms of cholera and advise them on what to do if it strikes.
Plan teams have run awareness campaigns in hundreds of communities to highlight the importance of good hygiene practices, teach families how to recognize the symptoms of cholera and advise them on what to do if it strikes.
Plan’s cholera response has so far helped over 100,000 Haitians, and the clinics we support have aided another 27,000. Plan’s work in this area has been fully integrated into our earthquake-response activities and is expected to reach thousands more.
To date, more than 2,400 Haitians have died and another 120,000 cases of cholera have been reported.
The first cases of cholera were reported in late October, in the northern Artibonite region. The bacteria, which causes rapid dehydration and can quickly turn deadly if left untreated, had not been seen in Haiti in 40 years.
The epidemic spread swiftly throughout the population that had no previous experience with the disease and how to prevent it. Within weeks, it reached the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, posing a major threat to the three million people living there.
Damage caused by last year’s earthquake has created ideal conditions for cholera’s rapid spread in Haiti: a lack of effective sewerage treatment, a tightly-packed population of displaced people, torrential rains and a lack of clean water.
A widespread lack of knowledge in remote areas about cholera’s cause and treatment options, as well as lack of close proximity to health services, has also made 7.5 million Haitians living in rural areas especially vulnerable.
Plan has been working with youth groups, partner organizations and the Government to coordinate all of our activities to reduce the impact of cholera on Haiti. Plan is conducting numerous public health campaigns in camps, schools, health centers, door-to-door and on the streets to promote awareness of good health and hygiene practices to prevent cholera.
We have distributed thousands of water containers along with water purifying tablets, chlorine, bars of soap and directions for their use. We have also built 235 new water and sanitation facilities and distributed hygiene kits to 23,000 people to help improve hygiene and limit the spread of disease.
Beyond prevention, Plan’s trained health workers are establishing cholera treatment units where community members can receive basic care, oral rehydration or IV fluids at no cost.
A major component of Plan’s cholera response work moving forward will be in continuing to improve the water and sanitation facilities in the camps, schools and health centers.
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FROM RELIEF WEB:
Haitians brace themselves for storm amid cholera
Source: Plan
Date: 01 Nov 2010
1 November 2010: Health workers are spreading the word on how to prevent cholera as people in Haiti's sprawling 'tented cities' brace themselves for a strong tropical storm.
It is feared the potentially destructive storm could hamper so far successful efforts to contain the outbreak of cholera in Haiti's capital, Port au Prince.
An estimated 1.3 million displaced people are still living in temporary camps following January's massive earthquake.
Health risks exacerbated
It is feared that the torrential rain could exacerbate health risks in the over-crowded camps. Widespread evacuation is not an option for so many people – as there is nowhere else for them to shelter.
"People living in the temporary settlement camps are extremely vulnerable in this current situation," explained Oumar Doumbouya Plan's water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program manager.
"They are living in close quarters and sharing personal items. We can prevent the spread of the disease by practicing simple hygiene."
Cholera prevention
Plan has spread the word on health and hygiene methods to avoid cholera to around 27,000 people in different regions, running awareness-raising sessions in schools, playgroups, churches communities and camps.
It has also distributed more than 1,000 cholera prevention kits to families in 8 camps and run health awareness sessions in schools. Distribution of kits to school children will start this week. The family kits contain soap, water purification tablets, and oral rehydration salts appropriately called Sèl Lavi, meaning "life salts".
Health experts say that 80 percent of the cholera cases can be successfully treated with such kits along with safer water and sanitation.
A health messaging campaign has also been spread in conjunction with the Civil Protection Department, with volunteers informing thousands of passengers on local transport.
So far there have been 330 deaths and more than 4,700 confirmed cases in cholera mainly in the Artibonite, Central, West, North and Northwest regions of Haiti.
The impending storm once more highlights the multiple vulnerabilities of Haiti and underscores the need to strengthen disaster preparedness.
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Plan's Updated Blog from Haiti
July 30, 2010
http://www.planusa.org/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/1193520
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Recovery in Haiti
http://www.planusa.org/content1317720
HomeOn January 12, 2010 a massive earthquake struck Haiti, displacing over 2.1 million people and reducing many communities to rubble.
Six month's later, Plan remains on the ground in Haiti, helping thousands of people who are still trying to cope with the dreadful aftermath of the devastating 7.0 earthquake. Plan’s relief and recovery work is uplifting thousands of children and their families in Haiti and helping them see a brighter future.
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Plan’s capacity in humanitarian assistance in Haiti
Plan is the third largest international non-governmental organization in Haiti and has been working since 1979 in the country, implementing programs in education, health, HIV and AIDS, and youth economic empowerment. One of our key strengths is ensuring that children and adolescents participate in decision-making about their lives. We also have significant experience in monitoring and reporting on children’s rights.
With over 140 staff working in 92 communities in Haiti, Plan’s unrivalled community presence and strong linkages with local groups and authorities means that we are well-placed to respond to disasters, such as the January 2010 earthquake.
In Haiti, the protection of children in emergency situations is a central pillar of our disaster response strategy. In addition to our own Plan staff in Haiti that includes trained humanitarian coordinators, we are also being supported by an experienced international team of experts.
Plan is taking a lead role in coordinating with other child-centered organizations with which we have built strong relationships. At the national level, Plan is currently coordinating an international/national NGO Alliance in Haiti to ensure a coordinated, child-centered response to the earthquake. Expert teams in psycho-emotional support have already been contacted to support the initiative.
Hear from the children
An essential part of Plan's work is empowering children to discuss the issues that matter to them and to take part in decisions that affect their lives. To help you learn about these issues, the children in Plan communities have put together a series of publications called "See Our World": Read what the children have to say about their lives.
READ AT:
http://www.planusa.org/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/88397#relief
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Disaster and Crisis Alerts
Home
During times of disaster children are most vulnerable and Plan is ready to respond to protect their rights and make sure their needs are provided for.
When emergencies occur in countries where Plan is already present, with our extensive relationships and knowledge of communities, local structures and institutions, we are best placed to assist the affected children and their families respond to the disaster.
In countries where Plan is not present or our presence is limited, but we have the capacity to respond, we work with local and international organisations to maximize the impact of the response to the disaster.
http://www.planusa.org/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/58382