Build Latrines in Rural Haiti

    For the time being, the cholera crisis appears to be tapering off.  Communities throughout Haiti are reporting fewer cases of cholera and the death toll has begun to level off – while this is a good thing, the battle for clean water and sanitation in Haiti is definitely not over.  Cholera is and will continue to be a very serious concern for Haitians for quite some time.

     Since the epidemic began sweeping throughout the country, the Lambi Fund of Haiti has been working with local partner organizations to teach proper methods of sanitation and has provided communities with affordable water purification methods.   During the height of the cholera epidemic, hysteria was sweeping through communities – no one was quite sure how it was spread and rumors were running rampant.  Lambi Fund worked swiftly to educate local communities on the causes and spread of cholera.  The main message was that this is an illness of dirty water and improper sanitation.  Steps like proper hygiene and drinking purified water can and have been taken to greatly decrease the risk of contraction.

    It is important to note though that a lack of human waste management throughout rural Haiti plays a major role in the transmission of cholera.  This is no quick fix given that 88% of rural Haitians do no not have access to proper sanitation.  Thus, Lambi Fund is prioritizing the building of hundreds of latrines throughout Haiti and we need your help.  Educating rural communities on the use, building and maintenance of latrines is a large task and will take extended time and commitment.  Building just one latrine can provide up to 25 individuals with access to proper sanitation – keeping the environment they live in clean and improving health conditions.

Links:

• Lambi Fund homepage
• Haiti Statistics
• How you can help