ARTICLE - ANTI-HAITIAN DEMONSTRATION

ANTI-HAITIANS DEMONSTRATION IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
(HaitiLibre.com)

Wilmo Louwes, originally from Haiti, the first case of cholera confirmed in the Dominican Republic; was released from the hospital yesterday around 10:00am in good health, after Dr. Reyes, head of the hospital where he was treated, confirmed that he could not infect others.

However, for Wilmo it was the beginning of his problems. He was denied access to the apartment he rented with his girlfriend for 3 years. His apartment is located at 46, Julia Peña street in the San Martín sector of Higuey.

The owner explained to him (under pressure), that he had to find another apartment, because other tenants were threatening to leave, if "the Haitian who had cholera" was returning to live in the building. Wilmo Louwes and his girlfriend had to move on Saturday to an unknown destination.

Saturday in the municipality of El Peñón of Barahona, a group of residents took to the streets to demonstrate. The crowd called on health authorities, military and law enforcement to arrest Haitians living in this municipality, accusing the latter, a community of about 500 undocumented Haitians, of carrying the cholera.

Protesters led by fear, and armed with sticks, have burned tires and blocked the streets, throwing stones and bottles.

One protester said: "We do not want the presence of Haitians in El Peñón because we have information that they have cholera."

Situations which are unfortunately likely as this one to reproduce in the rural areas, supplied with the ignorance and the fear of cholera, just like what happens in Haiti, where UN peacekeepers have become, without distinction, the "criminals" who brought the disease, the death and destruction, and where the sight of a fellow suffering from cholera causes rear instead of giving him assistance.

It is urgent that information and awareness campaigns, are implemented with populations less educated, in both countries before the irreparable is committed.