Cholera remains an emergency with more than 36,000 suspected cases reported and 322 deaths in 2015. The health actors continue to record many cases of cholera particularly in the departments of Artibonite, West, Central and North.

The latest official data published in December by the Ministry of Health indicate that 27 communes are on red alert. However, outbreaks can be located anywhere as was the case during the beginning of 2016 in the communes of the Northwest department following the floods of December 2015 and January 2016.

Current estimates of the Ministry of Health indicate that in Haiti, 25,000 people are at risk of contracting cholera in 2016, while 1,35 million people may be indirectly affected and will need assistance. The Ministry points out that these estimates can vary greatly depending on external factors such as political crises, which may hinder access and the ability to respond quickly to epidemics, natural hazards including climate phenomenon "El Niño" or humanitarian funding in 2016.

IH/ iciHaiti