Recently, the UN was sued for “bringing cholera to Haiti,” causing an epidemic that killed thousands. While there are many aspects of this disturbing information that we can discuss and debate, the one that stands out is the lack of adequate water sanitation policies in developing countries. “Children who don't have clean water, women who fear for their safety, young people who have no chance of receiving a decent education have a right to better, and we have a responsibility to do better. All people have the right to do better. right to drinking water, sanitation, shelter and basic services” Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General (2010). Thus, this recent cholera epidemic in Haiti highlights the failure of the UN to follow through on its demands and policies. This is a unique case, but among a series of similar cases around the world. In 1991, Bangladesh suffered a cholera outbreak due to the neglect of the government's cholera surveillance program which did not recognize rural areas (Siddique, 1992). ). The South African government's new policy of privatization of water projects has led to an increase in the number of cholera cases (Pauw, 2003). In 2008, Zimbabwe experienced a cholera outbreak due to malfeasance by President Robert Mugabe's government in siphoning off money from Zimbabwe's water treatment system. plants leading to increased rates of cholera and subsequent deaths (Colwell, 2013). Historically, cholera was considered the "scourge of the poor" in the 19th century because it seemed to only affect people who lived in extreme poverty in rural areas. In his book "The Cholera Years: The United States in 1832, 1849, and 1866," author Charles Rosenberg stated that in 1832, cholera was considered part of "God"... middle of paper... ...death - how an experiment caused riots and a cholera epidemic. International Journal of Health Services, 33. Rosenberg, CE (1987). The Cholera Years: The United States in 1832, 1849, and 1866. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press. Siddique, A. K. (1992). Cholera epidemics in Bangladesh: 1985-1991. Journal of Diarrheal Diseases Research, 10(2), 79. Global Health Task Force. (2013). Coalition for Cholera Prevention and Control (CCPC). Retrieved from http://www.taskforce.org/our-work/projects/coalition-cholera-prevention-and-control-ccpcUnited Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. (2002). General observation no. 15. The right to water. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/human_right_to_water.shtmlUnited Nations Development Program. (2006). Human Development Report 2006. Beyond scarcity: electricity, poverty and the global water crisis.