United Nations warns of "worrying trend" in cholera outbreak in Haiti

MADRID, 9 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The resident and humanitarian coordinator of the UN in Haiti, Ulrika Richardson, has warned this Thursday of the spread of the cholera outbreak in Haiti, which presents a "worrying trend" since it was declared in early October.

"What we are seeing, in fact, is not only a continuous increase in cholera cases, but also the spread to other regions," Richardson explained at a press conference in New York.

"In eight of the ten regions there are confirmed cases of cholera, this is a worrying trend for us and for the country," explained the United Nations humanitarian coordinator in the country.

According to the UN, 283 people have died so far, while almost 12,000 have been hospitalized and more than 14,000 cases have been registered.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported at the end of November that around 40 percent of confirmed cholera cases in the country in the last two months correspond to children, warning of the special prevalence of this outbreak in areas who already suffer from a general context of malnutrition.

Richardson has lamented that only 16 percent of the emergency response requested last month is funded.

Of $145 million needed to assist 1.4 million people, only $23.5 million has been received.

"In fact, humanitarian needs continue to increase," he lamented before indicating that the United Nations is preparing a plan that puts the aid needed for next year at 719 million euros.

Nonetheless, Richardson has highlighted the achievements, noting that half of the schools have reopened despite the challenges. "We have logistical challenges, you can imagine, and the security challenge, but we can be there and we can help people," she said.

Haiti adds the cholera outbreak to the humanitarian crisis sponsored by the economic situation and violence, due to the dominance of gangs. Insecurity has caused massive displacements for a total of 155,000 people.