(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)   The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is distressed and extremely saddened by the deadly effect of the cholera epidemic currently ravaging the people of its Member State, Haiti.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the many who have already perished and we share the grave concern of the loved ones of the thousands who are afflicted by the disease. This epidemic is the latest test of Haitian resolve coming less than a year after the devastating earthquake of 12 January and adds to the tremendous challenge the country faces in its recovery process from that disaster. It comes at a time when the Haitian people are preparing for elections, now only 8 days away, the successful conduct of which is essential to ensuring the political stability required to tackle both the cholera epidemic and the mammoth task of reconstruction arising from the January earthquake.

The Caribbean Community deeply regrets the outbreak of violence in parts of Haiti directed at the UN peacekeeping forces (MINUSTAH) based on rumours as to the source of the epidemic. This has led to the destruction of a World Food Programme warehouse containing 500 tons of food and relief supplies and the suspension of critical humanitarian projects by some relief organizations.

The Caribbean Community urges calm and restraint by all Haitian people in the face of this new crisis. All their energies must be used now to fight the cholera epidemic, not the peacekeepers and aid agencies. We commend the government of Haiti on the intensive public education programme it has mounted to inform the public on the practical measures that must be taken to protect themselves from the disease.

The Caribbean Community is standing by the Haitian Government and people in this trying time. The Bureau of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), which includes Health in its portfolio, and the CARICOM Secretariat, have begun the task of coordinating a rapid response to the Haitian request (a Needs List) for medical supplies and equipment to combat the disease. The Bureau is also giving consideration to the provision of medical personnel required for the effort.

As in the case of the earthquake relief effort, Jamaica, as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency’s (CDEMA) sub-regional focal point in the area including Haiti, stands ready to channel the supplies and equipment to Haiti.

We all take courage from the fact that the strong spirit of resilience and fortitude which is so characteristic of the Haitian people and which has sustained the nation for more than 200 years, will once more rise to the fore. There is no doubt that this spirit, bolstered by the goodwill and support of the international community, will help Haiti to overcome this new challenge.

The Caribbean Community takes this opportunity to assure the Government and People of Haiti of its continued support, and its commitment to lending assistance in every way possible to combat this epidemic and eradicate this terrible disease.

CONTACT: piu@caricom.org