U.S. lawmaker has called on the United Nations to issue public apology for Haitian cholera epidemic, provide financial support and justice to Haitian people

Washington (October 25, 2016) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, Senator Markey traveled to Haiti to observe the humanitarian response and assess any public health conditions, including the possible aggravation of Haiti’s cholera epidemic. The trip coincided with a letter Senator Markey sent to Samantha Power, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, seeking clarification about the official position of the United States in relation to the cholera epidemic in Haiti, calling on the UN to accept full responsibility for the cholera outbreak and begin the process of resolving claims for victims. Other Senators signing the letter included Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.).

“The announcement of financial remediation to victims of the UN-initiated cholera outbreak is a step in the right direction, but it falls short of providing the lasting and long term solution needed by the Haitian people,” said Senator Markey. “The UN must step up and publicly apologize for causing the first cholera outbreak in Haiti’s history, for the pain and suffering of the Haitian people, and provide justice for the victims of this epidemic and their families.

“The cholera epidemic in Haiti has only worsened in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. It is the moral and political responsibility of the UN to lead and implement a transparent process for remediation of this ongoing crisis, and to ensure that the people of Haiti are involved in decisions on how current and former victims of the disease and their families are compensated.”

Earlier this year, Senator Markey called on the United Nations to publicly apologize for their role in the cholera outbreak and subsequent epidemic, provide material resources to end the threat of the disease in Haiti and deliver financial assistance to victims and their families that were affected by the epidemic.

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