Overview
Since the outbreak of cholera in Haiti in 2010, an estimated 780,000 people have been affected by the disease and more than 9,000 people have died. This has had a tragic impact on families and communities who have been touched by the disease and highlighted the need to improve access to clean water, working sanitation and better health infrastructure for all Haitians. Concerted national and international efforts since 2010 have resulted in a 90 per cent reduction in the number of suspected cases. This number remains high, however, and recent outbreaks show the continued vulnerability of the population to the disease. Cholera outbreak management is complex, requires extensive preparation and calls for several elements to be in place at the same time: people to be mobilized with information and basic requirements for prevention; surveillance for suspected cases; notification; a rapid coordinated response; and a complementary, preventive vaccination campaign. The impact of cholera must also be tackled by providing support to the affected population, and helping communities and families get back on their feet, ease their plight and better their lives.
To address this critical situation, the Secretary-General announced a new approach which has two tracks:
Track 1a: intensifying immediate efforts to cut transmission of cholera and improve access to care and treatment; and,
Track 1b: addressing the longer-term issues of water, sanitation and health systems.
Track 2: development of a package of material assistance and support for those most affected by cholera.These efforts will include victims of the disease, their families and communities.
To generate and manage resources towards this new approach, the UN Secretary-General in collaboration with UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes (UN AFP) has launched the UN Haiti Cholera Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UN Haiti Cholera Response MPTF). The aim of this inter-agency pooled funding mechanism is to rapidly resource the UN system responses to cholera in Haiti, in accordance with the overview of needs and requirements and the strategic objectives of the new approach.
The UN Haiti Cholera Response MPTF will ensure:
- Support to the Government of Haiti's new prioritized mid-term cholera elimination plan (2016-2018);
- A coherent and coordinated UN System contribution to the overall response through a common financing mechanism, building on specific UN AFP mandates and procedures;
- Address the impact of cholera through assistance to those affected;
- Mobilization of funding from Member States, regional legislative bodies, inter-governmental organizations, private sector partners, philanthropic organizations, and individuals, and establishment of an accountable, transparent and cost-effective financial instrument;
- A results-based management system to enable monitoring of the Fund's contribution to the Cholera response; and
- Support for the UN's efforts in establishing a platform that facilitates the work of other partners and stakeholders in the fulfillment of the inter-agency actions.
Governance Structure
The UN Haiti Cholera Response MPTF Advisory Committee is chaired by the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Climate Change. The Advisory Committee provides guidance to the Chair in the management of the UN Haiti Cholera Response MPTF, and serves as a forum for discussing strategic issues and sharing information on funding coverage. The Advisory Committee consists of the following members: Chair, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General/UN Humanitarian Coordinator/UN Resident Coordinator (DSRSG/HC/RC) for Haiti, UNICEF, PAHO/WHO, UNDP and other UNCT members as appropriate, and up to three donors. The Government of Haiti, represented at the level of the Permanent Representative to the UN in NY, will be invited to join in observer status. The MPTF Office will serve as ex-officio member of the Advisory Committee. The Chair in consultation with the Advisory Committee will articulate the funding priorities, and approve proposal submissions by Recipient UN Organizations and Implementing Partners.
A Fund Secretariat hosted by the MPTF Office provides the administrative support to the Chair of the Advisory Committee. The Secretariat supports the fund mobilization efforts led by the Chair; organize calls for and appraisal of proposals; and monitor and report on Fund’s programmatic and operational performance to the Advisory Committee.
The UN Haiti Cholera Response MPTF is designed to support and allocate resources to Recipient UN Organizations (UN Funds and Programmes and UN Specialized Agencies), and Implementing Partners (Government and NGOs) in undertaking specific activities and functions, aligned with the new UN System Approach on Cholera in Haiti.
The Fund is administered by the UNDP MPTF Office (http://mptf.undp.org), acting as the Administrative Agent. The MPTF Office is responsible for Fund design and set-up, the maintenance of the Fund account, the receipt of donor contributions and the disbursement of funds upon instructions from the Chair and provision of periodic consolidated reports.
Fund Operation
Proposals to finance the strategic objectives of the new UN System Approach on Cholera will be supported by the Fund. Operational procedures of the UN Haiti Cholera Response MPTF are streamlined to facilitate rapid fund allocation processes.
How to Contribute
Contributions to the UN Haiti Cholera Response MPTF may be accepted from Member States, inter-governmental or nongovernmental organizations, businesses, foundations and individuals. In order to contribute to the Fund, the Standard Administrative Arrangement with the MPTF Office needs to be signed. The UN Foundation has established a mechanism to channel private gifts from individuals, companies or philanthropies to the Haiti Cholera Fund (see www.unfoundation.org/cholera for how to give). Contributors are encouraged to provide un-earmarked contributions. If due to specific donor preferences the un-earmarked contributions are not feasible, donors may earmark their contributions to a specific Track of the UN Haiti Cholera Response.
