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Published On: Wed, Aug 7th, 2013

Yale Law report: UN should be held accountable for Haiti cholera outbreak

In a report published Tuesday by The Transnational Development Clinic and The Global Health Justice Partnership of Yale law school and L’Association Haïtienne de Droit de l’Environnement, researchers say that there is ample scientific evidence to show U.N. troops from Nepal inadvertently brought cholera to Haiti in October 2010 and the United Nations should be held responsible.

The report, “Peacekeeping Without Accountability”, addresses the responsibility of the UN for the cholera epidemic in Haiti—one of the largest cholera epidemics in modern history.

In a summary of their findings, the report concludes:

  • The cholera epidemic in Haiti is directly traceable to U.N. Mission for the Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH) peacekeepers and the inadequate waste infrastructure at their base in Méyè, and
  • The U.N.’s refusal to establish a claims commission for the victims of the epidemic violates its contractual obligation to Haiti under international law, and
  • By introducing cholera into Haiti and denying any form of remedy to victims of the epidemic, the U.N. has failed to uphold its duties under international human rights law, and
  • The U.N.’s introduction of cholera into Haiti and refusal to accept responsibility for doing so has violated principles of international humanitarian aid.

In January 2010, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, killing thousands and seriously damaging an already fragile infrastructure.

Haiti   Image/CIA

Haiti Image/CIA

However, the report points out, Between October 19–20, 2010, nine months after the earthquake, health officials confirmed eight cases of cholera in a remote region of central Haiti. Cholera had not been observed in the country in over a century. The disease spread at an alarming rate, rapidly causing severe cases of diarrhea, dehydration, and death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of May 22, 2013, 657,117 cases and 8,096 deaths have been reported since the cholera epidemic began in Haiti.

Related: Researchers say Nepal peacekeepers were source of Haiti cholera outbreak

The report says that the scientific investigations show that MINUSTAH troops were exposed to cholera in Nepal, and their feces contaminated the water supply near the base.

In addition, based on molecular analysis, the Haiti cholera outbreak is traceable to a single cholera strain of South Asian origin found in Nepal.

Read the entire report here.

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About the Author

- Writer, Co-Founder and Executive Editor of The Global Dispatch. Robert has been covering news in the areas of health, world news and politics for a variety of online news sources. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the website, Outbreak News Today and hosts the podcast, Outbreak News Interviews on iTunes, Stitcher and Spotify Robert is politically Independent and a born again Christian Follow @bactiman63

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  1. Haiti receives apology from UN, Cholera plan unveiled - Outbreak News Today | Outbreak News Today says:

    […] Yale Law Report: UN Should Be Held Accountable For Haiti Cholera Outbreak […]

  2. Yale student hospitalized with probable meningococcal meningitis | Outbreak News Today says:

    […] Yale Law report: UN should be held accountable for Haiti cholera outbreak […]

  3. Nepal government rejects blame for Haiti cholera epidemic - The Global Dispatch says:

    […] various studies, including  The Global Health Justice Partnership of Yale law school report, “Peacekeeping Without Accountability”, which says the cholera was brought to the country by the Nepalese […]

  4. HAITI | Pearltrees says:

    […] Choléra : géographie d'une pandémie. Étude de cas : Haïti, 2010 – 2012. Cost of Living in Haiti. Prices in Haiti. Updated Dec 2014. P-81 Haiti. Officials: French report about origin of cholera in Haiti inconclusive. No quick fix for Haiti cholera. Natural Disasters Devastate Farmers, Limit Food Supply in Haiti | Groundswell International. Haiti's cholera epidemic caused by weather, say scientists | Environment. Understanding the Cholera Epidemic, Haiti – Volume 17, Number 7—July 2011. UN-immunity-as-impunity-Seeking-redress-for-Haitian-cholera-victims. Ocha%20Haiti%20_Humanitarian_Bulletin%20_January%202012_ENG.pdf. Titled. Yale Law report: UN should be held accountable for Haiti cholera outbreak. […]

  5. Dr Susan MacManus talks politics and election 2014, Dr Chan explains UN ties to Haiti cholera epidemic and Tampa Comic Con detailed - The Global Dispatch says:

    […] members from the Global Health and Justice Partnership at Yale University to discuss the report, “Peacekeeping Without Accountability”, which addresses the responsibility of the UN for the cholera epidemic in […]

  6. Haiti reports nearly 15,000 cholera cases in first 10 months of 2014 | Outbreak News Today says:

    […] after the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Caribbean country. Numerous organizations, including The Transnational Development Clinic and The Global Health Justice Partnership of Yale la…, have said that there is ample scientific evidence to show U.N. troops from Nepal inadvertently […]

  7. Why the UN Should Take Responsibility for Haiti’s Cholera Outbreak | ~~Defender of Faith~Guardian of Truth~~ says:

    […] Yale Law report: UN should be held accountable for Haiti cholera outbreak (theglobaldispatch.com) […]

  8. Earthquake, cholera, hurricane in Haiti | Dear Kitty. Some blog says:

    […] Yale Law report: UN should be held accountable for Haiti cholera outbreak (theglobaldispatch.com) […]

  9. Yale researcher discusses Haiti cholera outbreak and link to UN peacekeepers - The Global Dispatch says:

    […] this month, researchers from Yale University released a report detailing the legal and medical reasons why the United Nations (UN) should been be held responsible […]

  10. Adrian Wyllie talks Florida governor race, Dr Vincent Racaniello discusses bird flu with Media Mikes movie review on Dispatch Radio August 10 - The Global Dispatch says:

    […] New report confirms cholera outbreak in Haiti linked to United Nations […]

  11. eauhaiti | Haiti: Report Blames UN Camp for Deadly Cholera Outbreak – New York Times says:

    […] cholera outbreak?Examiner.comYale Study Slams UN for Haiti Cholera ResponseForeign Policy (blog)The Global Dispatchall 19 news […]

  12. gil says:

    Can we say “For double standards” please apply here.

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