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
A group of human rights organizations sent a letter to the Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Haiti, Gustavo Gallon.
The letter summarizes the continued effect of the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew and offers suggestions for effective assistance. Most of the information used in the report comes from direct input from communities impacted by the hurricane. Read More
The day before United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon was set to make the case that ridding Haiti of the scourge of cholera should be a humanitarian funding priority, human rights attorney Mario Joseph wondered whether the outgoing world leader would finally issue a long-sought public apology. Read More
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:
A UN issued report recommended that the UN Secretariat take four steps:
The UN later announced that it is mobilizing $400 million for the new response to be delivered via a two track system. Read More
Thirteen members of Congress sent a letter to Ban Ki-moon regarding concerns that it has taken too long for the UN to apologize to victims and set up a process that allows families to seek remedies.
Barbara Lee (D-CA) led the charge and has been a strong advocate on global health issues and aid transparency. Read More
From the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)
Haiti Election Primer, Part 5: The International Community
Ever since the first democratic elections in 1990, the influence of foreign actors over Haiti’s political process has only increased. Foreign donors have financed Haitian elections, UN troops have transported ballots and guarded polling stations, international observers have granted (or withheld) legitimacy to electoral outcomes, and foreign embassies have intervened when postelectoral crises erupt.
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
Please join us in telling the Obama Administration that there is still time to make a significant impact on cholera in Haiti before the end of his term! The State Department can build momentum at the UN and take a strong stand for cholera victims and their families, cholera treatment, and long-term water and sanitation investment in Haiti. Read More
Last week, Representative Frederica Wilson issued a statement in response to the New York Times article that announced the UN’s acknowledgement of its role in Haiti’s cholera outbreak.
In her press release, Congresswoman Wilson stated,
Read More“Today’s announcement is a major first step in righting a wrong. While I welcome the UN’s assumption of responsibility for the cholera outbreak in Haiti, it must be followed with concrete actions that include making cholera victims and their families whole, and investments towards eradicating the epidemic.”
The Haiti Advocacy Working Group welcomes the recent UN statement that acknowledges their role in the cholera outbreak that has caused so much illness and death since the mismanagement of wastewater from the UN base in the Artibonite region of Haiti. For 6 years, members of the HAWG have been working to address the cholera epidemic at many levels – in the health sector, in water and sanitation infrastructure funding, and seeking a claims mechanism for victims. Read More