How can we Help Haiti? Russia is worried about travelers

Russia warns citizens about travelling to the C'bean

MOSCOW, Russia – Russia’s chief sanitary doctor warned Russians this morning against travelling to Caribbean countries because of the growing cholera epidemic in Haiti. 

Gennady Onishchenko called on Russians to avoid travelling to the neighbouring Dominican Republic since “the situation in Haiti is worsening”.

“It is possible to live in the heart of a cholera outbreak following precautions, but a vacation is not a case to take such risks,” he said in a statement here.

At least 700 people have died since the outbreak of cholera almost a year after the devastating January 12 earthquake that killed an estimated 300,000 people and left 1.3 million homeless in the French-speaking Caribbean country.

Over 7,000 people are believed to have been infected with vibrio cholerae, which is thought to originate in South Asia and was presumably brought in by peacekeepers from Nepal.

The disease was detected in half of Haiti’s 10 regions, with north provinces being the hardest hit.

The humanitarian situation in Haiti was further aggravated as drinking water supply systems were badly damaged by tropical storm Tomas in early November.

Cholera is a bacterial infection that spreads through contaminated water, causing severe diarrhoea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration and death within hours.

On Friday, the United Nations agencies and their partners appealed for US$164 million to support Haiti’s efforts to fight the deadly cholera.

The funds sought for the Cholera Inter-Sector Response Strategy for Haiti will go towards getting additional doctors, medicines and water purification equipment to respond to the epidemic, which has spread quickly since it was first confirmed on October 22, the UN said.

“A major effort has already been made, but the sheer quantity of relief items that need to be delivered in the days and weeks ahead is going to require more logistical and financial support for the Government by all humanitarian agencies and donors and very close coordination,” said Nigel Fisher, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti.

“Without this, the epidemic could well outrun our efforts,” he added.

Five out of the 10 departments, or administrative divisions, that make up Haiti have been directly affected by cholera since the outbreak.

Nearly half a million water tablets, soap and oral rehydration salts are being distributed, targeting areas where cholera has already been detected.

Cholera treatment centres – an essential first line of response – are now open in 15 urban centres across the country, including seven in the capital, Port-au-Prince.