NGO Response to disease: British Red Cross in Haiti

Question 1

Background Information: Haiti Earthquake

Answer 1

Haiti, a Caribbean country, experienced a magnitude 7 earthquake in January 2010.
The epicenter was located west of the capital, Port-au-Prince, in Léogâne, close to a highly populated area.
Impact:
Over 220,000 deaths
300,000 injuries
1.3 million people homeless

Question 2

Factors Contributing to Disease Outbreak

Answer 2

Homelessness: Collapsed houses led to makeshift camps.
Poverty: 60% of the population lived on less than $1.25 a day, classified as extreme poverty by the UN.
Poor Sanitation: Pre-existing poor sanitation worsened by the earthquake, leading to sewage mixing with drinking water.
Vulnerable Population: People living in slums were highly susceptible to waterborne diseases.

Question 3

Cholera Outbreak

Answer 3

Outbreak confirmed in October 2010.
Statistics by 2014:
720,000 cases
Nearly 9,000 deaths (8,700)
By 2020, estimations reached 800,000 cases and over 10,000 deaths.
High concentrations in Port-au-Prince and northern regions of the country.

Question 4

British Red Cross Interventions

Answer 4

Clean Water and Sanitation: Provided to people in camps, supporting 300,000 individuals.
Hygiene Program: Built 1,300 latrines serving 250,000 people.
Medical Supplies: Distributed to people and the main hospital in St. Mark.
Cholera Treatment: Provided in camps, treating nearly 20,000 cases.
Awareness Campaigns: Volunteers went door-to-door to educate Haitians on cholera symptoms and prevention, using newspapers and radio.

Question 5

Impact and Success

Answer 5

By 2011, cases decreased from 35,000 per month to 2,200 per month by 2014, due to efforts by NGOs like the British Red Cross and the UN.

By 2019, Haiti was declared cholera-free for two years.

Question 6

Criticisms and Challenges

Answer 6

Aid Corruption: Allegations that aid money given to organizations like the American Red Cross was not properly distributed to the Haitian government.

Accountability Issues: Headlines raised concerns about nearly half a billion pounds worth of aid not reaching its intended recipients.

UN’s Role: The UN later admitted to inadvertently introducing cholera to Haiti from Nepal, where they were assisting with earthquake relief.

Question 7

Effectiveness of NGOs

Answer 7

NGOs can be effective in mitigating diseases through direct aid and awareness campaigns.
However, corruption and logistical challenges can hinder their effectiveness.
International institutions can sometimes contribute to the spread of diseases despite their efforts to help.