Haiti President appeals for calm

Haitian President Rene Preval is appealing for calm amid fears that riots aimed at UN peacekeepers over a cholera epidemic could spread to the capital.



In a national address, Preval has warned that the violence in Haiti’s second largest city of Cap Haitien is hurting efforts to fight the disease.



The death toll from cholera in Haiti has risen above 1,000 and President Preval says barricades are keeping people from getting care.



It’s a concern that has already been expressed by UN officials who say that the demonstrations are stopping them from dealing with the epidemic.



Port au Prince-based Pooja Bhatia, a fellow at the Institute of Current World Affairs, says it’s clear that the protests are impacting negatively on anti-cholera efforts.