UN Warns of Surge in Haiti Cholera Deaths


UN Warns of Surge in Haiti Cholera Deaths

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A United Nations envoy warned Wednesday that cholera deaths in Haiti will surge and spread to other countries unless more funds are found to battle the epidemic.

More than 8,330 people have already died from cholera, that started in 2010 and many blame on UN peacekeepers based in the impoverished Caribbean nation.

But special envoy Pedro Medrano told AFP in an interview that legal wrangling over the epidemic has to be put aside in order to tackle the sweeping advance of the disease.

Medrano said cash is lacking for purification tablets, anti-biotics and staff to keep up a campaign that has cut the number of victims over the past two years.

If funds are not found before this year's rainy season starts in May, "we will face a very dark situation."

The 65,000 new cases reported in 2013 were the lowest reported yet but still more than 550 people died, according to UN figures.

Most Visited in Other Media
Top Other Media stories
Top Stories