From crisis to community cure: A Haitian mother fights back against cholera – UN News

Report on Cholera Outbreak and Community-Led Sanitation Initiatives in Haiti

Introduction: Public Health Crisis and the Sustainable Development Goals

A recent resurgence of cholera in Haiti presents a significant public health challenge, directly impeding progress towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The outbreak underscores critical deficiencies in sanitation infrastructure and public health systems, primarily affecting vulnerable populations, including children. This report analyzes the outbreak’s context, the community-led response, and the collaborative efforts to mitigate the crisis, framing these actions within the context of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Cholera Outbreak Status and Impact on SDG 3

The spread of cholera poses a direct threat to achieving SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to end epidemics of water-borne diseases. The current situation in Haiti is characterized by a rapid increase in cases.

• Over 3,100 suspected cholera cases have been reported nationwide this year.
• A recent five-day period in the Pétion-Ville suburb saw 40 suspected cases and three deaths, raising concerns ahead of the new academic year.
• The prevalence of cases among young adults, a mobile demographic, increases the risk of wider transmission.

The United Nations humanitarian coordination office (OCHA) is actively working with national authorities to implement rigorous case monitoring and rapid mobilization of health workers to curtail the spread, in line with SDG 3 targets.

Root Cause Analysis: Deficiencies in SDG 6 Targets

The primary driver of the cholera outbreak is the widespread lack of access to basic sanitation facilities, a core component of SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. In rural areas such as Grand-Goâve, the practice of open defecation due to the absence of toilets has been identified as the direct cause of contamination and disease transmission. This situation highlights a critical gap in achieving Target 6.2, which calls for adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.

Community-Led Action and Advancement of SDG 11

In response to the crisis, a powerful community-led initiative emerged, demonstrating a grassroots approach to building resilient and sustainable communities as envisioned in SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. The case of Oriata, a mother whose daughter contracted cholera, exemplifies this movement.

1. Individual Action: After her daughter’s recovery, Oriata identified the lack of latrines as the root cause and began digging a pit for a toilet in her yard with limited resources.
2. Community Mobilization: She expanded her efforts by engaging in house-to-house awareness campaigns, encouraging other families to improve sanitation.
3. Collective Solidarity: Her commitment inspired a wave of mutual support, where community members assisted each other in constructing latrines, transforming the neighborhood’s sanitation landscape.

This local movement resulted in the widespread adoption of latrines and hygiene practices, such as systematic handwashing, significantly reducing environmental contamination and disease risk.

Collaborative Interventions and Progress Towards SDGs

The community’s efforts have been supported by partnerships, a key principle of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and local authorities have collaborated to scale up these sanitation and hygiene initiatives.

• Nearly 3,000 households have gained access to safe and hygienic latrines.
• 30 hygiene clubs have been established to promote good practices among children and staff, with 22 located in schools and 8 in health centers.

These collaborative actions have yielded tangible results, contributing directly to progress on both SDG 3 and SDG 6. The improved sanitation has led to a reported decrease in illness among children and a healthier living environment, demonstrating the profound impact of combining community action with institutional support to achieve sustainable development outcomes.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article directly addresses this goal by focusing on a cholera outbreak in Haiti. It describes the health crisis through the personal story of Noel-Dina, an 11-year-old girl who contracted the disease, and provides statistics on the spread of cholera (“more than 3,100 suspected cholera cases have been reported nationwide”). The response to the outbreak, including medical care (“timely medical care”), community health awareness campaigns, and efforts by health workers, are all central themes related to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This goal is a core focus of the article. The root cause of the cholera outbreak is explicitly identified as a lack of sanitation. The text states, “she lived without access to basic sanitation facilities” and “We had no choice but to use the outdoors as our toilet. That’s how the disease entered our lives.” The community’s solution—building latrines and adopting hygiene practices like hand washing—directly corresponds to the objectives of SDG 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.

  The article’s entire narrative is centered on combating cholera, which is a water-borne disease. The text details the spread of the disease (“Cholera has recently been spreading in Haiti”), the number of cases, and the community and organizational efforts to stop it. The awareness campaigns and the construction of latrines are direct actions aimed at ending the epidemic in the community, aligning perfectly with this target.

• Target 6.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.

  This target is explicitly addressed through the description of the initial problem and the subsequent solution. The article highlights the practice of open defecation (“use the outdoors as our toilet”) due to a lack of facilities. The community’s response, led by Oriata, was to build latrines (“she began digging a pit in her yard”). The article also mentions the adoption of “hygiene practices such as systematic hand washing,” which is a key component of this target. The success of this initiative is quantified: “Nearly 3,000 households now have access to safe and hygienic latrines.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 3.3 (Implied): Incidence of water-borne diseases.

  The article provides specific numbers that can be used to measure the incidence of cholera. It states, “more than 3,100 suspected cholera cases have been reported nationwide” and “40 suspected cases and three deaths were reported in Pétion-Ville” within a five-day period. These figures serve as a baseline measurement of the problem. A reduction in these numbers over time would indicate progress towards ending the epidemic.

• Indicator for Target 6.2 (Mentioned): Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services and with a hand-washing facility.

  The article provides direct data points for this indicator. It mentions the initial state of zero access (“lived without access to basic sanitation facilities”) and the progress made: “Nearly 3,000 households now have access to safe and hygienic latrines.” This directly measures the increase in the population using sanitation services. Furthermore, the adoption of “systematic hand washing” and the creation of “30 hygiene clubs” in schools and health centers imply progress towards improving hygiene practices, which is the second part of this indicator.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.un.org