As part of the "Cholera Prevention and Elimination Project", the Government of Japan, one of the largest donors to the fight against this disease in Haiti, has just granted UNICEF a donation of 3.4 million US dollars.

The main objective of this donation is to contribute to the survival of vulnerable families in Haiti, by reducing the morbidity and mortality due to water-borne diseases, in particular cholera for the period 2020-2022. The activities will extend specifically to the departments of Center, West, and Artibonite, and will be carried out in concert with the National Directorate for Drinking Water and Sanitation (DINEPA), the Ministry of Public Health and partner NGOs.

Mizuno Mitsuaki, Ambassador of Japan accredited to Haiti, praised UNICEF's commitment to Haiti in supporting communities and government institutions in the health sector and that of water, hygiene and sanitation.

This donation will help reduce the potential transmission of cholera and other waterborne diseases through improved surveillance, rapid response and improved water supply systems; improve sanitation at community level and in public places; to send clear messages to the exposed population on hygiene behaviors and to promote adequate sanitary practices to strengthen prevention.

Note that although no case of cholera in Haiti has been confirmed in the laboratory since February 4, 2019, it takes 3 years continuous without any confirmed case for Haiti to finally claim to have overcome cholera which we recall, made nearly 10,000 dead (9,792) between October 2010 and November 30, 2019 according to figures from the Ministry of Health.

IH/ iciHaiti