Relief Workers and Cholera

The material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, usually in response to humanitarian crises, is termed as humanitarian aid. To promote and save lives, alleviate the suffering of the victim, and maintain dignity is the primary objective of humanitarian aid. People who offer humanitarian aid are called relief workers.

Countries or areas are in need of relief workers especially in emergency crises such typhoons, wars, earthquakes, flood, and the like. Relief workers aim for life-saving relief and rehabilitation during disasters, in certain conflict areas, and other crises.

Their mission is to seek out the most vulnerable people affected by different crises and serve them to preserve their quality of life. Relief workers can be either from a non-Government or Government organization. Relief workers can be doctors, nurses, other kinds of health care providers or officials.

Being a relief worker is indeed a fulfilling job. Relief workers are able to help those in need. They can be of service to those who are in need. But, the truth of the matter is, relief workers are also prone to life-threatening conditions as well. Ironically, they want to relieve the lives of those at risk but they are actually also at risk. They are prone to getting sick. Their safety is not always assured.

What is Cholera?

Cholera is an example of a bacterial infection. It can be found in contaminated food and water. It is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, which means if an infected person disposes his or her waste improperly, the water and food can be infected too. And if these sources, which have an etiologic agent of Vibrio Cholerae, are ingested by another person, then he or she will be infected as well.

Today, cholera is somewhat rampant. This is why relief workers from all over the world are assigned to cholera-infested nations. Examples of such countries are Bahrain, Chile, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Afghanistan, and Costa Rica. Countries that can be found in Europe are also included, such as, Denmark, France, Finland, Greece, Italy, and Ireland. Asian countries are not exempt, such as the Philippines, China, Macau, Laos, and Malaysia.

Cholera Outbreak

In the year 2007, an outbreak of cholera in East Africa was reported particularly in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and Zanzibar. Relief workers battled with the outbreak. According to the report, cholera quickly spread, bringing a total of six hundred and thirty eight hospitalizations. In fact, among this number, one hundred and eighteen died in only three weeks time in Zanzibar. About twenty three lives were taken in Uganda. At least twenty people died in Somalia. And, lastly, about fifty fatalities due to cholera and its complications were reported in Kenya.

Post-Earthquake Cholera

In the year 2010, after the earthquake in Haiti, the public officials warned that the accumulation of waste was creating a condition susceptible for a major disease outbreak, including cholera. Some American and Haitian public health specialists, were complaining that there was bacterial infection coming from the buildup of human waste in the camps. Even doctors started to manifest signs and symptoms of illnesses like cholera, typhoid, and shigellosis, which all exist in contaminated food or water.

Diseases that can be acquired from contaminated food or water, such as cholera, are really life-threatening, not only to people living in the affected area, but also to the relief workers. Therefore, it is a must that special precautions must be observed by these workers in order to preserve their health and enable them to serve the needy at the same time.