UN investigates Indian peacekeepers for entering Haiti without cholera vaccine
The United Nations (UN) is investigating Indian peacekeepers in Haiti for entering the Caribbean country without getting mandatory cholera vaccinations. Over 100 men of the Assam Rifles landed in Haiti in July-August last year after the home ministry certified they had taken the vaccine. Haiti blames the UN for introducing cholera to the country which has killed 10,000 people over the past six years.
Ban Ki-moon apologizes over UN role in Haiti epidemic
"On behalf of the United Nations, I want to say very clearly we apologize to the Haitian people," said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Experts believe UN personnel introduced cholera to Haiti in 2010, killing at least 9,300 people. The UN plans to improve Haiti sanitary infrastructure and provide aid to cholera victims and their families.
What is Cholera?
Cholera is a disease that spreads through contaminated water. It causes acute diarrhoea which can kill within hours if not immediately treated. An estimated 21,000 to 143,000 people die every year from cholera.
How was cholera introduced to Haiti?
Experts believe cholera was introduced to Haiti by infected Nepalese peacekeepers who were stationed there after the devastating 2010 earthquake. The disease has since infected over 800,000 people and killed around 10,000. Haiti has poor sanitary conditions which helped spread cholera, a water-borne disease. In 2015, the UN made it mandatory for all UN peacekeepers to undergo anti-cholera vaccination.
UN wants Indian government to clarify vaccination gaffe
The Indian peacekeepers are now being vaccinated for cholera in Haiti. A dismayed UN is officially seeking clarification from the Indian government on as to why it certified that the Indian peacekeepers of received cholera vaccinations when they hadn't. An Assam Rifles spokesperson did not reply as to why soldiers also made false claims about vaccinations.
