HIGHLIGHTS:

 HURRICANE SEASON: Tropical Storm Isaac caused flooding and landslides leaving 8 dead.

 VENEZUELA: More than 2,135 people were evacuated in the state of Sucre due to rains

 EL SALVADOR: A 6.7 magnitude earthquake caused alarm. No damage was reported

This report covers the period 01 January 2011 to 30 June 2011.

In brief

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) vision is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies, with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world. The IFRC’s work is guided by Strategy 2020 which puts forward three strategic aims:

Programme purpose: National Societies in the Caribbean region are implementing efficient, responsive and focused programmes that contribute to improving the lives of vulnerable people. These programmes are aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".

Programmes summary:

In regards to the humanitarian challenges

Weekly Summary

- In North America, acute respiratory disease activity continued to decrease and is lower than expected in some areas

- In the Caribbean, unchanged and decreasing trends in acute respiratory disease were reported

- Central America reported decreasing or unchanged trends in acute respiratory disease

Weekly Summary

- Respiratory illness activity remained above what is expected for this time of year in Canada, Mexico, and the United States; in the United States, the proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza remained above the epidemic threshold

- The United States is investigating

I- Evolution of the pandemic

North America

Widespread influenza activity and increased trends in acute respiratory disease continued this week.

In Canada, the national influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate increased again relative to the last week and remained above average for the fifth consecutive week. There was another

I- Evolution of the pandemic

North America

In Canada and the United States, spread of influenza continues to be widespread and trends of acute respiratory disease continue to increase.

In the United States, in EW 41, outpatient influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity continued to increase, remaining

I- Evolution of the pandemic

North America

In Canada, Mexico, and the United States, trends in acute respiratory disease continued to increase and the intensity of such diseases remained high this week. Canada has experienced increased national rate of ILI consultation, above what is expected for this time of year since EW 37.

- 8,869 new confirmed cases (146,016 cumulative cases in 35 countries).

- 158 new confirmed deaths (3,292 confirmed deaths in 25 countries).

- 98.9% of the influenza A viruses that were subtyped were pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

- South America experienced low intensity and a decrease or unchanged trend

- North America experienced an increasing trend despite low intensity of acute respiratory disease everywhere except for Mexico

- Central America experienced low or moderate intensity and a decreasing trend.