Tarps, toilets are priorities for quake-hit Haiti: U.N.

Tarps, toilets are priorities for quake-hit Haiti: U.N.

I may not that up-to-speed on the latest developments on Haiti’s post-earthquake agony that took the lives 200,000 Haitians over a month ago, but I could just imagine what would it take for such impoverished country to, once again, rises up from the debris and dusts and get back on its feet when prior to such catastrophic event, they were already considered to be the poorest country on this planet. This is for sure a big test for the UN to play its role and take the lead on every effort that needs to be done for the Haitians, especially in terms of rebuilding the country’s main infrastructure, financials, law enforcement, governance, and health care sectors.

The initial after-effect of that 7.0 magnitude earthquake and seemingly countless aftershocks that forced the Haitians to live and dine on the streets in addition to the dead bodies that up to now need be extricated from the ruins certainly tells everyone that there are still enormous amount of work to follow solely to preserve the public health and safety. Thus, since the UN is now, once again, seeking for global pledges for financial support to build over enough number of latrines (fixed or portables) and more tarps for the victims’ temporary shelters, the international community better take such request serious.

Although, not yet considered an epidemic, there are already indications that a list of communicable diseases has broken out in certain areas; the lack of proper public waste disposal facilities and effective sewage system will put everyone in Haiti at risk. Obviously, the situation is not that difficult to understand, when lots of people are packed in one location like sardines and without proper shelter, effective sanitation facilities, and medical support, the next to come will be crisis; all efforts that have been so far rendered for the Haitians will go in vain. This is actually no different than the military exercises and deployments I’ve been a part with few years ago; in addition to making sure we had the all the essential immunization, we had to have good and well monitored water supply, proper waste disposal, latrines that are at least 100 feet from the mess hall, and dependable medical support.

That’s why we must all understand that time is absolutely critical in Haiti today; we must all take the necessary action as soon as possible and help prevent the spread of diseases and health risks in Haiti.