In 2025, Haiti is facing a major health crisis with the resurgence of cholera, a disease that particularly affects vulnerable internally displaced populations. Amid insecurity, natural disasters, and precarious living conditions in settlements, the country is under severe health emergency pressure. Millions of internally displaced people live in environments where the lack of drinking water and sanitation worsens the transmission of Vibrio cholerae, plunging its inhabitants into an unprecedented humanitarian disaster.
The cholera outbreak coincides with an increase in gang violence in Port-au-Prince, forcing many families to flee their homes and crowd into informal camps often lacking basic services. The situation is critical: every day reveals new suspected cases and deaths, while NGOs and authorities struggle to contain the epidemic. The already fragile Haitian health system fights to respond to this emergency, while awareness about hygiene practices remains insufficient.
The spread of cholera in precarious settlements: diagnosis and key issues
Cholera, an acute diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, finds a favorable ground in environments where access to drinking water is limited and sanitary conditions are failing. In Haiti, the precarious settlements mainly established around Port-au-Prince exhibit exactly these characteristics. More than 3,000 cases recorded since the beginning of 2025 and already 53 deaths testify to the severity of the health situation. The threat of a cholera epidemic in Haiti is mainly illustrated in these overcrowded spaces where contaminated water circulates freely.
Internally displaced people, driven out by gang violence or natural disasters, settle in places often lacking appropriate infrastructure. Their survival then depends on minimal access to water and secure toilets, which very often is insufficient. For example, in the suburbs of Pétion-Ville, at the Thomassin 25 health center, patients like this young hospitalized woman are treated urgently but cannot be protected long-term from reinfection due to the lack of improvement in surrounding conditions.
- 💧 Chronic lack of drinking water in the settlements
- 🏚️ Unsanitary and overcrowded housing favoring rapid transmission
- 🦠 Poor personal hygiene and insufficient sanitary facilities
- 🚑 Difficult access to specialized medical care in case of an epidemic
| Key factor ⚠️ | Impact on cholera spread 🦠 |
|---|---|
| Mass displacements and precarious settlements | High concentration of people with poor hygiene, favoring explosive transmission |
| Lack of drinking water | Promotes ingestion of bacteria through contaminated water |
| Insecurity and blockade of humanitarian aid | Delays in distributing water, food, and essential medicines |
To better understand this multidimensional crisis, it is important to recall the role played by various organizations, notably NGOs, in managing this epidemic. Actors such as Action Against Hunger act on the front lines to intervene in affected areas, providing care, drinking water, and sanitary aid, although their mission is continuously hindered by violence and logistical difficulties.
Living conditions of displaced people in Haiti: a humanitarian emergency worsened by cholera
Internally displaced people in Haiti are the populations most severely affected by this new wave of cholera. They live in improvised camps often lacking effective sanitation systems, which increases cholera transmission through fecal contamination of water. According to the UN report on humanitarian needs in Haiti, these alarming living conditions make the fight against cholera particularly difficult.
The crisis is worsened by the dual threat of natural disasters and armed conflicts. The extreme precariousness of infrastructure limits not only access to appropriate care but also the establishment of reliable information campaigns. In the absence of regular electricity and running water, barrier gestures are difficult to maintain, nuances a health professional working in one of the cholera treatment centers.
- 🚰 Difficulty accessing clean drinking water for displaced families
- 🚽 Rudimentary and insufficient communal toilets
- 🩺 Lack of accessible medical centers in the camps
- 🔒 Persistent insecurity preventing free movement to care
| Living conditions 🔍 | Health consequences for displaced people 💔 |
|---|---|
| Overpopulation in settlements | Acceleration of infectious disease spread |
| Absence of adequate sanitary infrastructure | Increase in cholera cases and other diarrheal infections |
| Lack of access to healthy food | General health weakening and susceptibility to diseases |
In this context, the health crisis in Haiti requires strengthened international support. Cooperation initiatives show the importance of coordinating efforts between the government, the UN, and NGOs to improve conditions on the ground.
Sanitary measures and humanitarian responses to cholera in Haiti
Faced with this dramatic situation, several emergency measures have been implemented to attempt to curb the epidemic. The focus is on:
- 🧴 Distribution of hygiene kits and disinfectant products in the camps
- 🚰 Installation of secured drinking water points and treatment of contaminated water
- 🏥 Reinforcement of cholera treatment centers in high-risk areas
- 📢 Intensified awareness campaigns among displaced populations
- 🩺 Training of local health actors for better care provision
Hospital teams such as the one at Thomassin 25 center work tirelessly but are often overwhelmed by the influx of patients. The fight remains difficult because insecurity limiting free movement sometimes prevents effective aid distribution. Handicap International emphasizes that this multidimensional crisis context undermines emergency humanitarian operations.
| Intervention ♻️ | Challenge to overcome ⚡ | Expected results 🎯 |
|---|---|---|
| Access to drinking water | Distribution hindered by gang violence | Decrease in contamination through water |
| Awareness on barrier gestures | Low visibility of messages in isolated areas | Improvement of personal hygiene practices |
| Rapid care and treatment | Lack of qualified personnel and medical equipment | Reduction of cholera-related deaths |
These initiatives absolutely must be amplified to prevent the disease from becoming endemic. The return of suspected and confirmed cases marks an urgency that tolerates no delay. The cholera epidemic report furthermore stresses the need for coordinated action to stop this crisis.
Social and psychological impacts of cholera on displaced populations
Beyond health consequences, cholera causes profound upheavals within displaced communities. Stress linked to loss of loved ones, fear of the disease, and difficult living conditions feeds a permanent feeling of insecurity. This collective suffering also weakens family and social structures, essential for resilience.
Affected families often face a double burden: the disease and precariousness. They live in constant uncertainty about the future, with limited access to care and an environment where the epidemic can re-emerge at any time. In several cases, reluctance to go to treatment centers exists due to fear or social stigma.
- 😰 Increased stress and anxiety within camps
- 💔 Loss of family members intensifying trauma
- 🔒 Social isolation and stigmatization of the sick
- 🧩 Weakening of social and community fabric
| Psychological impacts 🤯 | Social consequences ↘️ |
|---|---|
| Fears related to contamination | Reduced social cohesion in camps |
| Traumas due to human losses | Increased risk of internal conflicts |
| Lack of psychological support | Isolation and marginalization of victims |
Initiatives such as those reported by the Pan American Health Organization encourage the establishment of listening and psychological support spaces to meet these vital needs and help communities rebuild.
Perspectives and priority actions to curb the cholera crisis in Haiti
To reverse the trend and prevent cholera from becoming a chronic threat in Haiti, several axes must be intensified in the coming months:
- 💧 Strengthening drinking water and sanitation infrastructure in all precarious settlements.
- 🩺 Improving access to care and medical coverage for displaced populations, with rapid deployment of treatment centers.
- 🛡️ Ensuring the security of humanitarian workers to facilitate aid distribution.
- 📚 Launching information and education campaigns on hygiene adapted to local realities.
- 🤝 Strengthening coordination between NGOs, the Haitian government, and the UN for an integrated and effective response.
| Priority actions 🚩 | Expected objectives 🎯 |
|---|---|
| Deployment of drinking water systems | Reduce transmission through contaminated water |
| Reinforcement of medical centers | Treat patients quickly to limit deaths |
| Protection of humanitarian agents | Maintain continuous and effective aid |
| Hygiene campaigns | Promote sustainable sanitary behaviors |
| Coordination of efforts | Optimize the impact of interventions |
The road will be long but joint efforts, such as those described in the 2025 response plan by UNICEF, offer hope for possible improvement. Doctors, NGOs, and local authorities must now more than ever mobilize to protect those living in these alarming conditions and put an end to this humanitarian catastrophe.
What is cholera and how is it transmitted?
Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae. It is mainly transmitted through contaminated water and food, particularly in areas where access to drinking water is limited and hygiene conditions are inadequate.
Why are internally displaced people in Haiti particularly vulnerable to cholera?
Internally displaced people often live in overcrowded and precarious camps, without reliable access to drinking water or sanitation facilities, which favors rapid cholera transmission in these groups.
What are the main challenges encountered in containing the epidemic?
The main challenges include insecurity due to gang violence, failing infrastructure, lack of medical and logistical resources, and difficulty accessing internally displaced populations.
How do NGOs intervene in this health crisis context?
NGOs provide crucial support by distributing drinking water, setting up hygiene points, reinforcing treatment centers, and conducting awareness campaigns to prevent cholera spread.
What actions are essential to sustainably improve the health situation in Haiti?
It is essential to strengthen water and sanitation infrastructure, ensure the security of humanitarian workers, improve access to care, and coordinate efforts among the government, NGOs, and international organizations.