Illness and Riots Plague Haiti

November 17, 2010, Cap Haitien, Haiti - Living and sanitary conditions are at an all-time low in Haiti following the devastating earthquake nearly a year ago.  According to the AP, over 1,000 people – many still living in the tent camps - have lost their lives to the cholera epidemic.  Education and training is being promoted but thousands lack access to clean water and soap, necessary to halt this disease.

Frustrations are running high among the Haitians with recent demonstrations and riots against United Nations peace-keeping forces to the north in the vicinity of our ministry location in Cap Haitien.

Thankfully, our Kids Alive residential homes and school have not been directly impacted by the cholera or the violence.  “Our children are safe,” says Jeff VanDerMolen, Vice President of Operations in Haiti, “but the community close to the UN compound has seen violence.  We chose to close our school until the riots subside.”

The orphaned and vulnerable children now living in our residential homes still have access to clean, healthy water.  And our house parents have been trained in the proper sanitation and hygiene needed to reduce the risk of catching or spreading the deadly disease.  We are grateful that none of the community children attending our school have become infected.

For more information about our relief efforts in Haiti please click here.