Shortage of medical staff in Haiti

Aid agencies in Haiti battling a cholera epidemic are reporting a severe shortage of trained medical personnel and basic supplies, from soap to body bags.



They say this is hindering the opening of treatment centres to cope with the growing number of cases.



The United Nations humanitarian chief has appealed for hundreds more doctors and thousands more nurses to be sent to Haiti.



More than 1,400 people have died from cholera, and the epidemic is not expected to peak until late December.



Meanwhile, the World Bank has announced an emergency grant of US$10 million to help Haiti fight the spread of the cholera epidemic.



World Bank officials says the proposal will be formally submitted for approval in December.



However, up to 40 per cent of the money can be used immediately to fund expenditures already incurred.



The World Bank is funding non-governmental organisations providing urgent cholera treatment and preventive care to vulnerable Haitians.