Cholera Outbreak in Haiti

Cholera Packages Received!

Giving Children Hope just received news that partners in Haiti received cholera packages on January 20. Convoy of Hope and Hope Church will both begin distributing treatments and medicines to those affected by Cholera thanks to your partnership and St. John’s Lutheran Church’s sponsorship to make this shipment possible. Dr. Vanderpool and his clinic will be receiving their cholera packages shortly, as well.

Please continue to stay updated on all information and needs.

2011.01.26 by Holly Johns

Relief Needs Continue in the New Year

A year after a 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, the nation is still struggling to recover. The recent cholera outbreak continues to devastate Haiti and neighboring Dominican Republic.

Recent reports indicate the death toll has increased to more than 3,300 victims and hospitalization rates have reached more than 63,700. Nearly 150,000 individuals have been affected by the epidemic.

Makeshift clinics to treat those infected with Cholera have been established throughout the nation; however, additional medicines, water purification systems and means of sanitation are needed to treat the rapidly spreading outbreak. Sources have stated it has become commonplace to establish morgues adjacent to medical clinics to handle the high mortality rates.

UN officials announced the creation of a four-member panel of health experts to investigate the source of the cholera outbreak and ways to better address treatment and developing needs.

Giving Children Hope will continue to send clean water, water purification systems and medicines to the communities most affected into the New Year. Thank you for those helping to make these shipments possible and please continue to check back for updates and current needs.

1969.12.31 by Holly Johns

Cholera Continues to Spread

The numbers continue to grow in respect to the death toll and infections caused by Cholera in Haiti. Contributing to these numbers, the recent outbreak in neighboring Dominican Republic.

In total, 1,250 have died and more than 20,687 have been hospitalized. An estimated 200,000 have been affected by the floodings which escalate the spread of the disease.

Partners on the ground in Haiti have reported that approximately 80 percent of Cholera cases can be treated successfully if patients receive care quickly.

Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti and the recent needs. Please also help to send Cholera packages to assist alleviate the suffering.

1969.12.31 by Holly Johns

Cholera Risks Increase

As the Cholera epidemic in Haiti continues to spread, a new estimate of more than 900 individuals have died and as many as 15,000 have been infected.

The lack of sanitation and the severity of the impoverished communities is likely to spread the disease at greater rates. United Nations health officials have already estimated more than 270,000 individuals may be at risk of Cholera in the years to come.

Markets have limited access to import and export borders to neighboring country, the Dominican Republic in attempts to decrease chances of a Cholera outbreak. Without this essential market, many Haitian individuals risk losing employment and housing.

Read the full report in the New York Times.

Help send desperately needed cholera packages to the communities of Haiti and continue to check back for immediate needs and updates.

1969.12.31 by Holly Johns

Tomas Downgraded to Tropical Storm; Homeless Told to Evacuate

As reported by the Associated Press:

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti— “[Officials] urged hundreds of thousands of homeless quake survivors to flee tents and tarps for sturdier shelter Thursday as Tropical Storm Tomas closed in with rains that threaten to unleash devastating floods. Many stayed put—either to protect their few possessions for lack of anywhere to go.

The storm was expected to brush Jamaica’s eastern provinces and then regain hurricane strength before passing near the western coast of Haiti early Friday morning with heavy rains, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. Haiti’s government urged evacuation of the emergency camps set up after the Jan. 12 earthquake. Read more

1969.12.31 by Harmony Trevino

Hurricane Tomas Expected to Hit Haiti

“A category 1 Hurricane pounded St. Lucia, Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines yesterday. The storm has already caused major damage to infrastructure and housing in those countries. According to the latest forecasts, Hurricane Tomas is expected to make landfall in Haiti on Friday.
Everyone is preparing for the worst. The UN is estimating that 500,000 people in the west and south of the country will be affected. They are asking that donors send an additional 150,000 tarpaulins and 100,000 blankets in addition to those already in stock. Food aid is being pre-positioned to the likely affected areas and the United States Navy is even mobilizing the USS Iwo Jima to provide logistics assistance” Read more

Help with GCHope’s current Haiti relief efforts today!

1969.12.31 by Harmony Trevino