Cholera is an infectious and often fatal bacterial disease of the small intestine, typically contracted from infected water supplies and causing severe vomiting and diarrhea.
In 2010, U.N. peacekeepers created an inadequate sewage disposal system in Haiti that led to a cholera outbreak that sickened more than 800,000 and killed 10,000 to 100,000 during the past five years. U.S Representatives John Conyers Jr. and Mia Love called for action. Together they lead a bipartisan group of 158 Congress members, calling for the U.N. to take responsibility for its mistake. The cholera epidemic devastated Haiti further and the representatives are determined to hold the U.N. accountable. The representatives ask that the victims be provided with all the proper tools and aid to combat the severe implications of the disease.
“Haiti’s cholera crisis is a darkening stain on the world’s conscience,” said Conyers.
“The U.S. government cannot watch this crisis unfold from the sidelines. We need to exercise our leadership to make sure that cholera is eliminated and that the U.N. provides due process and remedies to the victims. The ongoing failure to do so is a travesty for human rights and for the U.N.’s credibility.”
The bipartisan letter calls the U.N. to action. Among the 158 to sign were 22 members of the House Committee on Foreign affairs, Global Health and International Organizations Subcommittee Chairman Christopher Smith (R-NJ), former HCFA Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), HCFA Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY), Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Ranking Member Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Global Health Ranking Member Karen Bass (D-CA).
However, the U.N. has denied all responsibility in U.S. courts and refused to assist the victims. With no one to fund the aid, the epidemic worsens.
