Donations Provide Additional Resources to Help Fight Haiti’s Cholera Epidemic

In Haiti, a new facility and water filtration systems will help The Salvation Army continue its fight against the nation’s Cholera Epidemic.

Cholera Treatment Centre (CTC)On January 25, a new Cholera Treatment Centre was opened on a plot of land formerly used as a farm by The Salvation Army in Fond des Negres. The CTC features a carefully designed maze of tents that are sanitized and prepared to receive and care for patients through every stage of infection.

The Salvation Army has taken steps to prevent the spread of Cholera since the epidemic began. Vital supplies including soap, disinfectant, oral rehydration packets and antibiotics have been distributed via community centres (churches and schools) throughout the country.

According to the United Nations, the Cholera mortality rate is down from 10 percent to two percent and the Army will continue to do its part to ensure those numbers continue to decline.

New Water Filtration SystemsTen FilterPure® water filtration systems were recently purchased by a Pittsburgh Rotarian for use in Salvation Army schools in Haiti. The systems are easily maintained and durable. At a cost of $30 per unit it is hoped that 1,000 more systems will be put in place, providing access to clean water for 11,000 school children.

With the current cholera epidemic, access to potable water has become a great concern. The purchase of these systems not only makes clean water available, but it supports the growth of the local economy. The FilterPure® systems are made in a Haitian-run factory in Cyvadier – a small town three hours south of Port-au-prince.