Sunday 21 November 2010

EU to member states: Haiti needs aid - Haiti

BRUSSELS -- The European Commission is urging EU governments to provide beds, medical expertise, ambulances, medicine and other aid to help Haiti combat its cholera epidemic.

It says Haiti lacks the basic skills, tools and equipment needed to fight a disease that is little known to Haitian health workers and citizens.

EU Humanitarian Relief Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva said Thursday that the month-old cholera epidemic has killed 1,100 people in Haiti and hospitalized more than 18,000.

She said there is a need for medical expertise, beds, epidemiological expertise, antibiotics, intravenous catheters and body bags.

Georgieva said: "This is a very difficult moment for Haiti. It is likely to get worse before it gets better."

Posted via email from projectbrainsaver