United Nations Haiti Cholera Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund Launched to Help Country Overcome Epidemic, Build Sound Systems, Strengthen Resilience

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has established the United Nations Haiti Cholera Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund to finance critical priorities of the new United Nations system approach to cholera in Haiti designed to support the country in overcoming the epidemic and building sound water, sanitation and health systems.

The Trust Fund will provide a rapid, flexible and accountable platform to support a coordinated response from the United Nations system and partners.  The Organization’s new approach focuses first on intensified emergency response measures to cut the transmission of cholera and ensuring rapid access to effective care and treatment in parallel with investment in building sound water, sanitation and health systems, the best long-term defence against cholera and other water-borne diseases.

At the same time, the new approach is developing a proposal for a package of material assistance and support for Haitians most affected by cholera.  Urgent, early funding is required to support implementation of the new United Nations approach.  In addition, the Fund will be able to support other interventions, including a response to the increased risk of cholera caused by the impact of Hurricane Mathew.  Donors contribute to a central fund, which then directs those resources to the highest-priority activities in Haiti.  Member States, regional bodies, intergovernmental organizations, businesses and individuals can make contributions to the Haiti Cholera Fund.  For more information, please visit http://mptf.undp.org/cholera).

Since the outbreak of cholera in Haiti in 2010, more than 9,000 people have died and an estimated 780,000 others have been affected.  That has had a tragic impact on families and communities, highlighting the need to improve the country’s water, sanitation and health infrastructure.  The United Nations Haiti Cholera Trust Fund creates the platform to support a coordinated response — addressing both immediate and long-term needs — by the United Nations system and partners, with the ultimate aim of eliminating cholera from Haiti, building solutions to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthening resilience among Haitians.