We have a critically urgent situation developing as 7 orphans in 2 of our HRI supported orphanages in Haiti have contracted CHOLERA, a preventable albeit very deadly disease. With 122 children in one of the orphanages alone, this situation is devastating. We urgently need to hire an additional few nurses to provide immediate prevention programs and services not only to this orphanage, but for more than 400 children in 13 HRI supported orphanages for a minimum of three months.
After 3+ years with no cases of cholera reported in Haiti, on October 2, national authorities reported two confirmed cases in Port-au-Prince. Since then it has rapidly spread to more than 9,300 suspected cases as of November 15. Until this week, the 13 orphanages supported by HRI had remained 'cholera free,' in large part due to the emphasis we have long placed on good hygiene and sanitation in these facilities. However, orphanage employees come and go regularly. Thus, we now we have 7 cases.
HRI established a Cholera Rapid Response Team to address the outbreak not only at the two impacted orphanages, but at all 13 orphanages. Action steps include: meet with orphanage staff, provide every orphanage with one hand-washing station per five children, provide hygiene supplies to every child, implement training sessions with staff and children, place infographic flyers throughout each orphanage, set up protocols for handling food & waste, and more. We desperately need to hire more nurses!
The nurses will, ensure preventive measures are strictly adhered to by staff and children; begin immediate isolation and treatment of any child showing signs of illness; organize transfer to the CTC, if required; lead trainings on health, hygiene and sanitation with the staff and children; display educational flyers around the facility; and more. These steps will prevent the spread of cholera and save the lives of children who are the most vulnerable victims!
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