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Mozambique

Situation in Mozambique: Sitrep # 5


Department of Emergency and Humanitarian Action
http://www.who.int/disasters/
Highlights:

1. Cholera epidemics is reported in Tete Province ( 96 cases )
2. Increased number of malaria
3. Needed: drugs for diarrhoeal diseases, including cholera
4. Needed: malaria control measurements
5. Needed water and sanitation control activities
6. Needed to cover essential health needs of the displaced population, including replenishment of essential drugs

I. Impact/Assessment:

Provisional baseline figures:

Indicator
Result (source: WHO)
Population denominators: 220,000 people are living in the Accommodation centre out of 500,000 affected; in the affected provinces
Number of deaths:
Number of injured:
Health services damage: in flooded areas health services are inaccessible, extent of damage is being assessed

Assessment ongoing (WHO/UNDAC)

The Government led an assessment mission from 2 April to 6 April. WHO was present and main findings are:

  • 220,000 people are living in the Accommodation centre out of 500,000 affected;
  • lack of coordination structure in MoH and all levels;
  • weakness of health workers in epidemiological surveillance and case management;
  • lack of referral system;
  • low coverage of immunisation;
  • lack of awareness on communicable diseases including HIV/AIDS/STD;
  • need of communicable disease prevention and treatment, especially malaria, cholera and the need to improve the supply of drugs.


Risk/Evidence-based information on the health situation:

Indicator
Risk
Epidemics reported:
Yes
Epidemics due to presence of unburied dead bodies:
NO
Outbreak of Typhoid Fever:
NO
Increased RISK of sporadic cases of water-borne diseases:
YES
Outbreak of Cholera:
Yes
Outbreak of Malaria:
NO
(increased number of cases)

Evidence-based Assessment of Needs/NO-needs:

Indicator
Risk
Need for mass immunization campaigns:
YES (measles)
Need of foreign medical teams:
Yes to support partners in health activities the co-ordination
Need of specialized care:
NO
Needs of Field Hospitals:
NO
Need of drugs and supplies:
YES quantity and forms for children
Kind of supplies most needed:
anti-malaria drugs, bed nets for malaria prevention and cholera kits
Need of diseases surveillance and verification of rumours:
YES
Need of emergency water and sanitation measures:
number of latrines and litters of water insufficient according to IDPs number
Need to address vital priorities:
Rapid nutrition assessment, transport for referral cases
Type of PHC services which need to be re-stored for addressing vital needs:

II. UN:

UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal:

On 21 February the Government of Mozambique launched an appeal for emergency assistance to respond to the developing flood crisis in provinces of Zambezia, Sofala, Tete, and Manica .To assist the Ministry of Health initially US $ 5,900,000 is needed.

UN Coordination and Assessment Mechanisms:

III. WHO now in Mozambique:

The emergency public health co-ordinator currently supporting in Beira participated in cholera mission assessment

IV. WHO Actions (more consolidated information than the preceding sections):

1. Financial Resource Mobilization:

WHO with support from Italy has already sent to Beira 14 kits diarrhoea and cholera (7 kits D and 7 kits F).

V. WHO Direct Contacts

WHO/Country:
Dr. S. Kouo Epa, WR-Mozambique, Tel: 258-1-49 8048
Dr. P. Kahozi, DPC/WHO -Mozambique, Tel:258-1-49 1991, Fax: 258-1-49 1990, e-mail: kahozi@oms-mz.org

WHO/Region/EHA:
Dr. A. Chellouche, EHA focal point, Tel: 3-21-733 92 03, e-mail: chellouchey@whoafr.org

WHO/HQ/EHA:
Dr. R. Bu-Hakah, Medical Officer, Tel: 41 22 79 2988, Fax: 41 22 791 4844, e-mail: buhakahr@who.ch , or Dr Luzitu Simao, Technical Officer, Tel: 41 22 791 2720, e-mail: simaol@who.ch

Note:

  • WHO/EHA website: www.who.int/eha/disasters/
  • For general and operational information reference is made to the corresponding UNOCHA sitrep (OCHA Sitrep # 1 - 10) and for obtaining emergency-related maps and non-health information, visit ReliefWeb, the UN site for humanitarian affairs: www.reliefweb.int