Violent demonstrations in Haiti are hampering aid

United Nations Children’s Fund
Violent demonstrations in Haiti are hampering aid

18:11:2008: UNICEF is concerned that aid programmes - including the distribution of vital supplies - are being interrupted by violent demonstrations in Haiti.

So far the worst disturbances have been confined to Cap Haitien and Port de Paix.

A World Food Programme warehouse holding 500 metric tonnes of food has been burned. Road blocks set up by demonstrators are hampering people getting to hospital.

The United Nations has been forced to cancel flights carrying medical supplies, soap and personnel to Cap Haitien and Port de Paix. World Health Organisation (WHO) has halted training of medical staff in cholera response. The Nord (North) department reports a fatality rate of 7.5%, the highest in the country. These areas hard hit by the cholera outbreak. Medical staff are over-whelmed by the level of the outbreak.

UNICEF and other aid agencies have appealed for calm, asking the demonstrators to go home to look after their families, or to return to their work.

“The disturbances mean that that fewer lives will be saved overall. Without reservation, we condemn the attacks on the warehouse holding vital supplies,” said UNICEF NEW Zealand executive director Dennis McKinlay.

“The spread of cholera can be prevented, and the disease is curable. But aid agencies need to be able to distribute basic items like soap and water treatment tablets. Medical staff need to be able to get to their place of work unhindered.

The outbreak is still spreading and is expected to affect 200,000 people. A high proportion of the fatalities will be children.

So far, aid agencies operations in the rest of the country appear unaffected.

UNICEF is currently asking for more funds to assist in the prevention and treatment of cholera. $NZ 213 million is still needed from donors worldwide. People in New Zealand can still donate money.

ENDS

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