Ambassador Power: The U.N. Must Act in Haiti

Ambassador Samantha Power
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Ambassador Power:

The worst ongoing cholera epidemic in the world has killed nearly 10,000 people in Haiti since October 2010, and it shows no sign of stopping. Now that the United Nations has acknowledged its role in bringing cholera to Haiti, it is time for the U.N. to act.

We know how to eliminate cholera and prevent further transmission. In 2012, Partners In Health and our colleagues in Haiti developed a pragmatic plan that includes treat ing those who are ill, widespread vaccination, water and sanitation system improvements and hygiene education. We have demonstrated that these measures work on a small scale, but funding for a nationwide effort has been lacking. Meanwhile, even now, thousands more Haitians are becoming sick and dying from a preventable disease.

We respectfully request the United States Mission to the U.N. to press that body to take responsibility for the cholera epidemic by funding a comprehensive plan to eliminate this devastating scourge.

Elimination of cholera in Haiti should be a top priority for U.S. Western Hemispheric policy. Allowing the epidemic to p roceed unchecked is setting back other important U.S. humanitarian and development goals in the Caribbean Basin.

Thank you for your consideration of our views.

Sincerely,

Gary Gottlieb, MD
CEO, Partners In Health