USAID Sends Emergency Assistance To Djibouti For Cholera

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Also Included In: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture;  GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology;  Tropical Diseases
Article Date: 24 Nov 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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The American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are providing $100,000 in emergency funding to the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) for medical supplies and to facilitate an intensive health, sanitation and hygiene campaign to prevent the further spread of diarrhea in Djibouti.

Since January 2007, limited access to safe drinking water and poor sanitation and hygiene conditions led to a surge in diarrhea and cholera in Djibouti, primarily affecting Djibouti city and nearby Dikhil and Tadjourah districts, according to the Djibouti Ministry of Health. Three surges in reported cases of diarrhea and cholera in January, April and September have drained the resources of local government and relief agencies to adequately respond. The ministry reported more than 1,000 diarrhea cases since early September and reports over 40 new cases per day.

USAID, in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, will continue to monitor the situation and is prepared to provide additional assistance if needed.

For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance programs, please visit: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance.

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.

U.S. Agency for International Development
http://www.usaid.gov