The people of Haiti are fighting a deadly cholera epidemic introduced by UN troops that has killed thousands and sickened hundreds of thousands more. [1] Since the UN accidentally caused this catastrophe, it has a special responsibility to help Haitians stamp out killer cholera for good. Press reports have suggested that announcement of a UN plan is possible very soon.
Let’s press the UN to make sure it announces decisive action and to build momentum and public attention to make sure the UN and major donor governments follow through on their commitments. We’re partnering with Avaaz, the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti, and other organizations to build momentum for decisive action. You can sign our petition to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon here:
https://www.justforeignpolicy.org/Oliver_Stone_to_UN_end_Haiti_cholera
Since it began in October 2010, Haiti’s cholera epidemic has killed over 7,700 and brought untold suffering to poor communities. Although doctors, scientists, and even UN Special Envoy Bill Clinton recognize that UN troops brought the epidemic to Haiti, the UN has refused to take responsibility.
According to recent news reports [2], key players – including the Haitian government, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pan-American Health Organization and UNICEF – may soon announce a plan to respond to cholera with medical treatment and water and sanitation infrastructure. This would be an important step in the right direction, but it would be a tentative step, with only a tiny fraction of funding secured so far. At the current pace, thousands more Haitians will die before their communities receive clean water.
We have no time to lose. A spike in cholera cases has been reported after Hurricane Sandy. Together we can save lives and help Haitians finally rid the island of this killer, if we act now. Sign this urgent petition and share it with everyone you know.
https://www.justforeignpolicy.org/Oliver_Stone_to_UN_end_Haiti_cholera
Thank you for all you do to help bring about a more just foreign policy,
Oliver Stone
Director, “The Untold History of the United States” [3]
on behalf of Just Foreign Policy
Please support JFP’s work. Donate for a Just Foreign Policy.
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References:
1. “Haiti Cholera Counter,” Just Foreign Policy, https://www.justforeignpolicy.org/haiti-cholera-counter
2. “Haiti seeks $2bn to fight cholera outbreak blamed on UN soldiers,” Jonathan Watts, Guardian, Thursday 29 November 2012 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/29/haiti-cholera-plan-un; “Haiti, DR to eliminate cholera with $2.2 billion,” Trenton Daniel and Martha Mendoza, AP, November 28, 2012, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20121128/cb-haiti-cholera-plan/
3. This is my new documentary series on Showtime on the untold history of the American Empire. See the trailer and more at “The Untold History of the United States,” http://www.oliverstone.com/untoldhistory/