HUMANITARIAN BULLETIN (01-25 July 2011)
OVERVIEW
- The overall trend of new cholera cases continues downward but there are still some hot spots of localized outbreaks, especially in the Nord-Ouest Department
- Access to latrines remains an important gap in IDP camps
- Relocations programs underway, while forced evictions remain a concern
- Contingency planning for the hurricane season ongoing
CHOLERA RESPONSE
The overall downward trend continues,although there are still some hot spots.
After the second peak that was reached in early June, reports indicate that the cholera overall trend continues downward. New figures on cholera cases, and mortality rates, decreased between mid-June and mid-July.
As of 10 July some 386 new cases were reportedly hospitalized on a daily basis compared to 442 cases on 10 June. The mortality rate per day has decreased to 0.1percent from 0.9 percent in early June. As of 10 July, the Ministère de la santé publique et de la population (MSPP) has reported 5,899 deaths and 388,958 cumulative cholera cases in the country.
Following the heavy rains in early June which contributed to the deterioration of health, hygiene and sanitation conditions in the affected communities, humanitarian partners have been vigilant to quick counter the curb with related response.
However, despite the general decrease nationwide, there are still some localized cholera hot-spots reported in some departments, including the Nord-Ouest, and Sud-Est departments. In the former, some 1,208 suspected cases have been reported by the Direction de la Protection Civile (DPC) between 21 to 25 July. Eight deaths have already been reported. The highest number of suspected cases (696) has been reported during the same period in the Immaculée Conception Hospital in Port-de-Paix. The DPC and humanitarian partners have sent medical and WASH teams to support response efforts in the area.
As of 10-July-2011:
Cholera Treatment Centres = 34
Cholera Treatment Units = 189
Mortality Rates Nationwide = 1.7%
Cumulative Cholera Cases = 388,958
Number of Deaths = 5,899
In the Sud-Est Department, an increase of new cholera cases has been reported, especially in the city of Jacmel, where the situation was particularly
concerning in the prison. As of 13 July, approximately 100 new suspicious cases have been reported among some 360 inmates.
Appropriate measures have already been taken by the departmental health authorities to treat and isolate the inpatients and to disinfect the cells and other compartments. Four severe cases from the prison were transferred to Saint Michel Hospital’s Cholera Treatment Unit (CTU), where several cholera cases were also under treatment. On 15 July, the CTU was working over its capacities with 72 patients in beds and 20 others under observation. Disinfection and awareness raising campaigns are being carried out in the most affected areas by the MSPP, the Cuban Medical Brigades and the Netherland/Haitian Red Cross Societies. WHO and Solidaridad Internacional provided the CTU with several items, including gloves, syringes, catheters, toilet soap, cotton, HTH, and ringers.
In the Artibonite Department the situation remains worrisome in 40% of communes, including Dessalines, Gonaives, Saint Michel de l’Attalaye, Petite Rivière. A gap of health actors has been identified in Saint Michel de l’Attalaye, especially with the retreat of International Medical Corps (IMC). MSF-France has already reopened the CTCs in Gonaives and Dessalines while IOM has implemented 42 Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs).
There is a need for three additional CTUs in the communes of Verrettes, Lachapelle and Terre Neuve. A total of 64 ORPs are needed in the department, especially in the communes of Gros Mornes, Saint Michel de l’Attalaye, Saint Marc, etc.
Newly released results of a study commissioned by the Pan-American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in April points out major gaps such as lack of integration of cholera management activities into basic health services, lack of WASH partners and activities in camps and communities, withdrawal of NGOs from the field due to lack of funding. Irregular payment of salaries of local health staff in MSPP run CTCs is also a major risk that could jeopardize response capacities at local and departmental level when sudden increases in the number of cholera cases occur. The Health cluster reports that in the departments of Grande Anse, Nippes, Sud and Sud-Est many staff have not been paid for months and they are threatening to go on strike.
EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE
IDP
Access to latrines remains a huge gap
A survey conducted by the WASH cluster confirms major gaps in access to sanitation units. The number of functional latrines in IDP camps decreased between April and May. Approximately 237 latrines have been either closed or have become non-functional. Access to functional latrines remains a major problem in the municipalities of Leogane, Delmas and Port-au-Prince.
A significant decrease of hand washing stations has also been reported in IDP camps. Only 18 % of camps had functional hand washing stations in May, compared to 20% in April.
The survey also shows that 28 percent of sites are still affected by open-air defecation. The number of sites with more than 30 percent of non-functional latrines slightly decreased from 142 in April to 133 in May.
The number of chemical latrines decreased from 1,176 in April to 965 in May. The highest number is located in Champs de Mars IDP camp with 206 chemical latrines representing 21% of the total.Replacing chemical latrines remains a priority because they need desludging on a daily basis which is very expensive for WASH actors.
The data on access to water in temporary shelters shows an increase of chlorinated water points, from 75% in April to 84% in May. However there is a slight decrease in the number of camps with access to those chlorinated water points. In May, 39% of them had access to chlorinated water points, compared to 41% in April. There is also a decrease in the number of sites with access to unchlorinated potable water. The latest figures show that 37% of the camps have access to drinking water from unchlorinated private booths, compared to 45% in April.
The survey on WASH services provided in temporary shelters was conducted by the Direction Nationale de l’Eau Potable et de l’Assainissement (DINEPA) from 20 May to 5 June in 693 camps, in 11 communes of the Ouest department affected by the earthquake.
400 Vulnerable IDP Families Relocated From Tabarre to Croix des Bouquets
On 12 July IOM has started the relocation process of 386 IDP families from Dortoir Carradeux Camp and 14 families from Te Roche Camp in the commune of Tabarre (Port-au-Prince) who are at risk of eviction. In close collaboration with both city councils, at least 120 families have already been relocated to Rony Colin Park site in Croix des Bouquets. The relocation site has been prepared by the German NGO THW, while ACTED constructed the transitional shelters and the latrines. Due to the fact that the construction of showers was not included in the WASH guidelines for transitional shelter construction, their construction had not been planned for relocation sites hosting up to 400 families. Lack of funding still impedes the construction of these facilities.
The Humanitarian Community Concerned About Forced Eviction of IDPs
The humanitarian community has expressed concern about the conditions in which 103 IDP families out of the 450, living in the Sylvio Cator stadium (Port-au-Prince) were evicted in exchange of 10,000 Gourdes (US $250) per family. The IDP at Sylvio Cator Stadium is identified as one of the priority sites included in the new Government’s relocation plan. However, the municipal authorities took the decision to relocate the families without consulting the humanitarian community, while the site where some of the families have been relocated was not planned. There are important needs in terms of shelters, water, latrines, etc. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has indicated that the lack of basic services and the insufficient number of shelters on the relocation site put those families in more vulnerable conditions. The OHCHR stresses that the solution proposed by the municipal authorities does not respect the right to adequate housing. It reiterates its recommendation to the Haitian authorities to ensure that the closure of IDP camps is appropriately planned in accordance with international human rights standards and to ensure that this is part of a larger strategy aimed at improving the access to adequate housing. The HCHR underscores that a successful reconstruction, as well as a secure and long-term stabilization of the country will also depend in part on the realization of the right to adequate housing.
IOM and other partners have provided the relocated families with latrines and other WASH facilities. The remaining families who were living in the Sylvio Cator stadium have returned to live with family members or friends in their community of origin.
One out of 5 displaced people is threatened by evictions (as of 31 May 2011)
Source: Last DTM of May 2011
CONTINGENCY PLANNING
Preparedness Activities Ongoing
The Direction de la Protection Civile (DPC) is currently completing the final review of the national Contingency Plan as part of the approval process. In the meantime, concerned departments and communes are also finalizing their respective response plans.
Major gaps in mitigations; emergency and temporary shelters and stock pre-positioning are being identified and updated. There are enough stocks of cholera kits, hygiene kits and food rations (e.g. emergency medical kits could cover the needs of 120,000 persons per week, while the food rations could cover the needs of 517,000 persons for 21 days).
An agreed needs assessment matrix has been approved by the DPC and will be soon available to evaluation teams. In collaboration with cluster leads, DPC and OCHA are currently developing training modules intended for users of the needs assessment matrix.
To test the humanitarian response coordination mechanism, the Joint Simulation Exercise (SIMEX) was held on 20 and 21 July, in the Ouest department (Port-au-Prince and the communes of Tabarre, Léogane) and Sud-Est department (Jacmel and the communes of Belle Anse and Cayes Jacmel). The DPC, the humanitarian community and other stakeholders involved in the process worked in closer collaboration in the
preparation and implementation of this exercise.
The Inter agency Standing Committee designated an international expert as a facilitator, who is also responsible for drafting the report on lessons learned and recommendations from the exercise.
Ouest Department
The Ouest departmental response plan is being finalized under the leadership of the Direction de la Protection Civile (DPC) with the support of the Red Cross movement and international partners.
Some municipalities such as Cabaret, Léogane and Fond Verrettes are currently reviewing emergency and evacuation plans while IOM and the DPC continue to assess and update the list of available emergency shelters.
In Léogane, 25 NGO partners from the area and from the Sud-Est department attended from 4 to 8 July, the training courses on the use of Inter-Agency Network on Education in Emergencies (INEE) Minimum Standards that the education cluster hosted. A roll out of this training in August will target local authorities and will be facilitated by Governmental and NGOs’ trainers with the support of the Education cluster.
Artibonite Department
In the Artibonite Department, the government-led bridges construction works in the communes of Gonaives and Ennery are respectively 80 % and 35 % completed.
WFP indicated that food commodities have been prepositioned in three sites within the department, i.e. Saint Marc, Terre Neuve and Saint Michel de l’Attalaye. On its capacity of Logistics cluster lead, WFP also prepared 02 zodiac and 13 M6 trucks to be used during evacuations in case of emergency.
A spare warehouse with a capacity of 13,500 metric tons of stocks is also available for use where conditions dictate.
The Human Rights section of MINUSTAH is conducting awareness raising campaign aimed at sensitizing pregnant women, children, older people and people with disabilities on the best practices and how to protect themselves before, during and after hurricanes.
IN BRIEF
Construction of 15 Classrooms, School Almost Completed in Corail
As the construction of the school in Corail - Sector 3 supported by World Vision is nearly at its completion, the partners are getting ready for the school re-opening in September. However, lack of clarity on who will be responsible for school management and teacher salaries remain a challenge. This 15-classroom school will serve approximately 600 students (in single shift and more if a double shift is agreed), some of whom have lost access to education opportunities because of the displacement.
Fire in Terrain Accra IDP camp left three persons injured, and destroyed 75 tents
The accidental fire which took place on 1 July in Terrain Acra IDP camp (Delmas 32) injured three persons, destroyed 75 tents and damaged 66 others. In the aftermath of the incident, the DPC and the humanitarian community organized the distribution of tents to the affected families, distributed mattress and blankets, built latrines, distributed food, shelter and hygiene kits, etc.
A workshop on awareness raising about security and protection principle held in
Tabarre
The Coordination Group on Protection in the commune of Tabarre held a workshop on "awareness raising on security and the protection principle" from 27 to 29 June. The workshop targeted 408 members of security committees in 47 camps identified as facing the highest security risks by the local authorities of Tabarre. Follow-up activities include the development of a code of conduct by the HNP and UNPOL, drafting follow-up procedures between PNH UNPOL and committee members; as well as the establishment of guidelines to facilitate the referral and monitoring of security and protection incidents.
WFP continues support activities in Artibonite
The WFP continues its nutrition support activities in the Artibonite department by providing PV-VIH/TB to 25,487 persons, including 1,578 pregnant and lactating women,7,274 children aged between 6 to 59 months and 16,635 persons from 52 medical institutions.
Contact Information:
Head of OCHA Haiti (a.i): Esteban Sacco Email: saccoe@un.org
Spokesperson/ Public Information Officer: Emmanuelle Schneider E-mail: schneider1@un.org
Reporting Officer: Abdourahmane Diallo Email: diallo57@un.org / ocha.haiti@gmail.com
For more information on the response in Haiti, please visit:
http://haiti.humanitarianresponse.info
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (OCHA), Boulevard Toussaint Louverture et Clercine 18, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
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