The government has donated medicines to fight cholera to the Ministry of Public Health and Population of Haiti, officials said.

The delivery ― worth $100,000 ― which was made on Dec. 28 via the Korea International Cooperation Agency is expected to fight the epidemic in the Caribbean state.

“The cooperation between South Korea and Republic of Haiti is a cooperation model between both states. This notation comes in support of the efforts of our government to support Haiti in these difficult times, with the aim of eradicating this endemic disease which broke out in Haiti since October,” said David In-Yeup Song, chief representative in the Haitian office of the KOICA. 

“This assistance attests to the good cooperation between both states, because Haiti had brought its support for the Korean people during the war of Korea (1950-1953) half a century ago. It is in recognition of this collaboration that our government decided to help these people to get up in these difficult times,” he added.

After the earthquake hit the nation on Jan. 12 last year, the country was hit with a cholera outbreak in October, which has made 171,304 people sick and killed 3,651 as of Jan. 7.

Health experts estimate that the number of patients will rise to 600,000 within six months should appropriate measures not be taken in the near future.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)