The cholera outbreak in Haiti began in October 2010, following a disaster declaration by U.S. Ambassador Kenneth H. Merten. In response, USAID deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to coordinate emergency response efforts with USAID/Haiti, USAID/OTI, and the CDC. The DART transitioned to a Haiti program office on January 27, and the Response Management Team (RMT) stood down on January 28.
USAID/OFDA’s emergency cholera response plan focused on preventing cholera cases, reducing the number of cases requiring hospitalization, and reducing the Case Fatality Rate (CFR). The plan included four elements: provision of chlorine to increase availability of safe drinking water; expansion of national hygiene education outreach; provision of oral rehydration sachets (ORS) and medical supplies; and an increase in the number of cholera treatment facilities (CTFs), particularly in underserved and rural areas.
As of March 9, 2011, the overall cholera caseload in Haiti was 258,084, with 138,946 hospitalized cases and 4,717 deaths due to cholera. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was 1.8 percent. USAID/OFDA has provided $40,513,142 in assistance to Haiti for cholera response, while USAID/OTI has provided $3,008,803 and USAID/Haiti has provided $2,015,000.
The earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, killed an estimated 316,000 people and affected approximately 3 million others. The U.S. Government provided more than $1.1 billion to meet humanitarian needs in Haiti in FY 2010, including more than $713 million from USAID. The USAID contribution comprised nearly $368 million from USAID/OFDA, more than $188 million from USAID/FFP, more than $102 million from USAID/OTI, more than $52 million from USAID/Haiti, and $3 million from USAID/Dominican Republic.
Humanitarian efforts in the year following the earthquake met the immediate needs of earthquake-affected populations by providing safe drinking water, food, household items, shelter, sanitation facilities, and health services. USAID continues to work closely with other USG agencies, the Government of Haiti, international organizations, the U.N., and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to coordinate ongoing efforts and facilitate the transition from emergency relief activities to recovery operations, while addressing identified needs.
In the Nazon neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, USAID/OFDA grantee World Concern and USAID/Haiti grantee CHF International are working together to demolish houses marked red, or unsafe for habitation; repair “yellow” houses, those requiring minor or moderate repair; and construct transitional shelters (t-shelters). USAID/OFDA is working closely with USAID/Haiti, USAID/OTI, CDC, and the humanitarian community to coordinate efforts and facilitate a smooth transition from emergency relief activities to development programming.
As of March 18, 2011, USAID/OFDA has provided $25,234,095 in assistance to Haiti for earthquake response in FY 2011. The total USAID/OFDA assistance to Haiti for the earthquake is $392,823,094, while the total USAID, State, and DoD humanitarian assistance to Haiti for the earthquake is $1,206,800,929.