Haiti - Emergency Cholera Response - Doctors of the World Canada - 2017-2018

March 2017 - Haiti remains affected by a convergence of humanitarian crises exacerbated by a Category 4 hurricane that hit the country in October 2016. Hurricane Matthew caused the biggest humanitarian crisis in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake adding to pre-existing humanitarian needs including those caused by the ongoing cholera epidemic and recent droughts linked to the El Niño phenomenon. Around 2.7 million people required humanitarian aid in 2017. This includes 1.4 million people in areas affected by Hurricane Matthew still in need of food water and sanitation shelter and livelihoods. Cholera also remains a significant threat to hundreds of thousands of families particularly with the resurgence of the disease since May 2016. With GAC's support Doctors of the World helps to reduce morbidity and mortality linked to the cholera epidemic. Project activities include: (1) supporting the emergency response to cholera outbreaks and the deployment of emergency medical teams; (2) strengthening of the epidemiological surveillance and outbreak early warning system; (3) supporting health promotion prevention and diarrheal disease awareness campaigns; (4) strengthening of quality prevention and care services at community level; and (5) reinforcing the capacities of the health sector.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased access to quality cholera prevention detection and response services; (2) strengthened epidemiological surveillance capacity; and (3) reduced incidence of morbidity and mortality linked to cholera and diarrhoeal diseases. Ultimate outcome: lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity preserved in countries suffering from humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.