The numbers are staggering, John.
Since the epidemic began in Haiti two years ago, cholera has sickened more than 600,000 people and killed more than 7,500. Last year, Haiti logged more cases than all the rest of the world combined, according to the World Health Organization.
This year the epidemic is on track to be among the world's worst again, with nearly 77,000 cases and 550 deaths, according to the Haitian Ministry of Health. We're continuing to see cases rise and fall with seasonal rains. Hurricane Sandy, which passed by Haiti last night, brought downpours that have swelled rivers and already contributed to an increase in cases.
There's another number I can't shake.
Zero.
That's how many cholera deaths we should be willing to accept. Cholera is a preventable, treatable disease that has been eliminated in the wealthy world through access to clean water and decent sanitation.
After close to 3 years of reading posts about Cholera in Haiti I feel the post about nobody caring (Asleep) could be the ongoing response. Nobody cares.
ReplyDeleteIf Sandy had destroyed the tent camps, so what. These are obviously disposable people. The empty cot is the perfect visual symbol. It has been described as a 'Genocide of Indifference' and for the most part we are spectators.
Healing Haiti Fund is organizing a series of Benefit Concerts to raise awareness and $ to send Sunspring Water Filters, which produce 5,000 Gallons of clean water per day, to Haitian Hearts, Haitian People's Support Project and other organizations in Haiti who choose to not be spectators while People are 'Dying In Haiti'.
Thank you, Dr.Carroll, for what you are doing.
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
www.healinghaitifund.com
Ed Koster (914) 886-8505