In reply to an epidemic: cholera in Djibouti

In 1994, Bioforce had to intervene In Djibouti for a cholera epidemic. The need to install a treatment unit in the town led to the development of orig inal methods, namely: the construction of a field hospital close to the gen eral hospital and also the construction of a sewage farm. This timely inter vention, which has been very effective against the spread of lethal disease , could not however care for chronic problems such as the supply of drinkab le wafer for the population and adequate sanitation. These failures have be came subsequently worse in the past few years, especially at times of flood ing which has often occurred in November and December (C) 1999 Elsevier Par is.