Tag: cholera

Cholera Epidemic

Congress secures $10 million for cholera in Haiti

Congressional Lawmakers Join Forces to Secure $10 Million in FY2018 Omnibus Bill to Address Haiti’s Cholera Epidemic

 Washington, D.C. – In the current political climate, Democrats and Republicans don’t often agree on much, but in a rare act of bipartisanship, Congress has passed an omnibus package that rejected many of the White House’s harsh budget cuts. Read More

Cholera Epidemic

Update: Cholera Advocacy

For those who have followed HAWG’s cholera advocacy and supported our campaign: your support has enabled our campaign to achieve what just six months ago seemed impossible.  Very significant steps towards cholera justice have been taken in recent weeks. We’d like you to know just what you helped make happen:

  • On September 20, 2016 at the opening of the UNGA, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed “tremendous regret and sorrow at the profound suffering of Haitians affected by cholera” and said that “time has come for a new approach to ease the plight and better their lives”
  • Earlier that month the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights criticized the UN’s approach as “morally unconscionable, legally indefensible, and politically self-defeating”

A UN issued report recommended that the UN Secretariat take four steps:

  1. Issue an apology and an acceptance of responsibility in the name of the Secretary-General;
  2. Acknowledge that the claims submitted by victims are private law claims and therefore require an appropriate remedy;
  3. Provide adequate compensation for victims
  4. Ensure consultation with stakeholders in a transparent manner

The UN later announced that it is mobilizing $400 million for the new response to be delivered via a two track system.  Read More

Aid Accountability and Transparency, Cholera Epidemic, Elections and Democracy

RNDDH report on Hurricane Matthew

National Human Rights Defense Network, known as RNDDH in Kreyol, has just released a report with their on-the-ground assessment of the situation in Haiti post-hurricane. 

Full report in English and French

RNDDH demands respect for humany dignity by the Haitian Government, Political Parties, and Humanitarian Agencies

Excerpts from the report:

Preparation and awareness of the population of the hurricane

According to information gathered by RNDDH, hurricane warnings were not disclosed in the same manner to communities and they were not made aware at the same time. Read More

Cholera Epidemic, Media

Rep. Barbara Lee on Matthew’s Impact on U.S. & Haiti

Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Statement on Hurricane Matthew’s Impact in the US & Haiti

Oakland, California – In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement urging the global community to unite to provide humanitarian aid for Haiti:

“My thoughts are with the people of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina impacted by the Hurricane Matthew. Read More

Cholera Epidemic, Media

Faith leaders to Obama: Take Action on Cholera!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jasmine Huggins, Church World Service (202) 481-6942 | Charissa Zehr, Mennonite Central Committee (202) 544-6564

Faith Leaders Urge Obama Administration to take a leadership role in eliminating cholera in Haiti

Tuesday, October 11, Washington, D.C. – As cholera cases spike in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, more than 60 faith-based organizations and religious groups sent a letter to President Obama and Secretary Kerry, urging them to exercise leadership at the United Nations (UN) to ensure that concrete steps are taken to eliminate the cholera epidemic introduced to Haiti in 2010 by UN peacekeepers.  Read More