18 Nov 2010

UN relief operations shut down in northern Haiti

3:05 pm on 18 November 2010

The United Nations has shut down relief operations in northern Haiti because of demonstrations by protestors blaming its personnel for bringing cholera into the country.

Aid flights have been cancelled, water purification and training projects curtailed, and food has been looted at a warehouse.

More than 1000 people have died in the cholera outbreak, which some Haitians say was caused by Nepalese peacekeepers dumping toilet waste.

The UN says tests at the base used by the troops have proved negative.

The BBC reports the demonstrations were in the cities of Cap-Haitien and Hinche. Barricades have been erected and rocks thrown at UN vehicles.

A World Food Programme warehouse was looted and burnt in Cap-Haitien on Tuesday.

Cholera is caused by bacteria transmitted through contaminated water or food.