Cholera outbreak in Papua New Guinea
Photo: Krissy Nicholson/OxfamAUS
The cholera outbreak in Papua New Guinea has now spread to the capital Port Moresby, and has the potential to spread throughout the country if not addressed quickly. Fifteen people have died and there have been more than 900 cases of cholera in the city since May 3, according to the country’s National Department of Health.
Oxfam is there
We have staff on the ground and are partnering with the National Red Cross and the Provincial Department of Health to contain the disease in Port Moresby’s village areas. We are conducting health promotion campaigns, ensuring people are practicing good hygiene to contain the spread of the disease.
“There is now the potential for the disease to spread rapidly within Port Moresby's settlement areas and villages and affect additional provinces if the cholera outbreak is not contained.” Oxfam Australia Pacific Humanitarian Coordinator Jennifer Worthington.
The cholera outbreak first hit communities in PNG in mid August 2009. This included the Angoram and Murik Lakes districts on the Sepik River in late 2009 – the largest river system in Papua New Guinea – in East Sepik province. More than 3,000 cases of cholera have been recorded since then in five different provinces. Oxfam has conducted three cholera responses since October reaching over 19,000 people.
There is now the potential for the disease to spread rapidly within Port Moresby's settlement areas and to outside provinces in different parts of the country.
Oxfam Australia Humanitarian Coordinator Jennifer Worthington
Men constructing a temporary rainwater collection tank for the cholera-affected community in Moim Village in East Sepik Province of PNG. Photo: Jennifer
Worthington/OxfamAUS
Cholera in the East Sepik
A World Health Organization specialist participated in an assessment of the East Sepik area in November 2009 and reported acute water, sanitation and hygiene needs, including a lack of access to clean drinking water. Many of the communities are isolated and have to rely on dirty water from the river for drinking and washing – there is no special area for washing and people often also use the river as a toilet.
In order to stop the water-borne disease from spreading, people need access to safe water supplies and an awareness of good hygiene and sanitation practices.
Sepik River Photo: Jennifer Worthington/OxfamAUS
Oxfam assisted over 3,000 households comprising the worst-affected and most vulnerable families by:
- Constructing emergency rainwater catchments for a source of clean water in a number of villages
- Distributing hygiene kits including soap, bucket, jerry cans and oral rehydration sachets
- Training locals in hygiene promotion
Our goal is to make sure that people have access to safe, sufficient and emergency water supplies, and an awareness of adequate hygiene practices.
You can help
By donating to our International Crisis Fund you will ensure that people, like those in Papua New Guinea, have access to clean and safe water supplies.
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