A New Approach to Cholera in Haiti - Report of the Secretary-General (A/71/620)

This report sets out the new United Nations approach to cholera in Haiti announced by the Secretary-General on 19 August 2016, framed as an act of good faith expressing deep regret for the suffering caused by the epidemic and recognizing the Organization's moral responsibility to victims. Cholera broke out in October 2010, nine months after the earthquake, in a country where only one quarter of the population had access to decent toilets and one half to clean water; it has afflicted nearly 800,000 people and may have caused over 9,000 deaths, and overall incidence had fallen about 90 percent since the 2011 peak. Track 1 intensifies cholera response and control while addressing longer-term water, sanitation and health systems; Track 2 develops a package of material assistance and support centred on victims, families and communities, developed with their participation. The report documents the surge in suspected cases after Hurricane Matthew, from just over 2,000 in September to nearly 6,000 in early November 2016, identifies funding and implementation challenges, sets out a proposed timeline and names David Nabarro and Ross Mountain to lead the effort.