Haitians brace themselves for storm, as cholera fight goes on

Relatives of Haitians suffering from cholera wait for news outside a local hospital in the town of Saint Marc. Reuters/St-Felix Evens, courtesy www.alertnet.org

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.

Hurricane Tomas was downgraded to a tropical storm but winds are still expected to reach 65 mph (100 kmph), putting the many people living in fragile tents and under tarpaulins at risk.

It is feared that the torrential rain could also exacerbate health risks in the over-crowded camps. Even heavy rains in could potentially impact Port-au-Prince since several of Haiti's rivers originate in the area and run into the capital.

"People living in the temporary settlement camps are extremely vulnerable in this current situation," explained Oumar Doumbouya-  Plan's water, sanitation and hygiene manager. 

"They are living in close quarters and sharing personal items.  We can prevent the spread of the disease by practicing simple hygiene." Aid agencies and authorities have been stockpiling food and shelter materials in preparation.

Widespread evacuation is not an option for so many people – as there is nowhere else for them to shelter.

The UN has said that aid agencies have been "stretched to capacity" by so many challenges this year and said the storm is "obviously the last thing Haiti needs."

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.