Severe Flooding Spikes Cases of Cholera

Without rehydration, approximately 50% of people with cholera die. With treatment, fatalities drop to less than 1%. We cannot stand idly by while this devastating disease claims innocent lives.

6/20/23 Update from Executive Director, Nathan Ruby:

The #1 Treatment Solution: Rehydration

Replacing lost fluids and electrolytes using a simple rehydration solution, oral rehydration salts (ORS) is essential to treat Cholera. The ORS solution is available as a powder that can be made with boiled or bottled water.

Update from the clinic:

Without access to clean drinking water, ORS cannot be used, which is why we need both -- water filters and ORS and are working hard to expedite more supplies to the clinic.

HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION:

DONATE to fund our next WASH order and shipment
SHARE this fundraiser on Facebook or your favorite social network
EMAIL this fundraiser to your friends and family so they can support families in crisis.

Country Director, Andre Boyer shares the latest from Haiti:

CHOLERA RESPONSE PLAN:

Distribute 2000 water filters to communities in rural Haiti: These filters are a lifeline for families, providing them with safe and clean drinking water, and protecting them from the deadly consequences of contaminated water sources.
Secure and distribute ORS to prevent cholera deaths and treat the surge of cases: Your support will enable us to provide vital ORS to those affected, ensuring they have access to life-saving rehydration treatment.
Air transport more water filters, expediting their arrival at the clinic: Time is of the essence, and by expediting the delivery of water filters, we can reach those in need faster and more efficiently.

COMPOUNDING CHALLENGES ESCALATE:

With the recent flooding in the western part of the country, mounting cases of Cholera, and political instability, more requests are coming into the clinic each day. The top needs are water filters from our WASH Program and anti-diarrheal medicine for adults and children. In Haiti, as of February 2023, the Department of Epidemiology, Laboratories, and Research (DELR) has reported 33,661 suspected cases and 2,439 confirmed cases in all 10 departments of the country.

In times of crisis, the FOTCOH staff springs into action distributing water filters to families in rural Haiti.

About FOTCOH

For nearly 30 years, Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH, pronounced “fot-co”) has provided healthcare and hope to the people of Haiti. FOTCOH provides year-round medical services and community education and hygiene programs in Cyvadier, Haiti. FOTCOH’s staff and devoted volunteers treat medical conditions including hypertension, diabetes, asthma, pregnancy, severe skin infections, burn injuries, and malnutrition in children.

About the WASH Program

Through the WASH Program, our goal is to distribute water filters to 600+ families annually. Each filter lasts for around 10 years. We also test household water quality, construct latrines, distribute more than 1,000 hygiene kits each year, and lead educational clinics in the community. Our interactive educational clinics teach children and adults proper handwashing techniques, safe food preparation methods, and daily dental hygiene practices. FOTCOH’s WASH Program also teaches Haitian families about safe water treatment, storage, and handling.

Safe Water Saves Lives: Cholera Mitigation in Haiti

By fotcoh

Safe Water Saves Lives: Cholera Mitigation in Haiti

Emergency relief for families in Haiti

Team Members