Each week, the World Health Organization Department for Health Action in Crises in Geneva produces information highlights on the health aspects of selected humanitarian crises. Drawing on the various WHO programmes, contributions cover activities from field and country offices and the support provided by WHO regional offices and Headquarters. The mandate of the WHO Departments specifically concerned with Emergency and Humanitarian Action in Crises is to increase the effectiveness of the WHO contribution to crisis preparedness and response, transition and recovery. This note, which is not exhaustive, is designed for internal use and does not reflect any official position of the WHO Secretariat.

WEST BANK/GAZA STRIP

Assessments and events:

The current political and funding situation is having repercussions on the MoH, the sole provider of almost 60% of all health care in the territories and of the majority of public health programmes.

Actions:

Working with UNRWA, UN agencies, NGOs and Palestinian institutions, WHO continues to deliver assistance as in the CAP 2006, while mobilizing human and material resources for the ongoing contingency.

WHO is monitoring the effects of the funding crisis on the MoH at field level through networking with partners and visits to health centres and collecting information on the availability of drugs and services.

In the preparatory meeting in Cairo, the MoH, UNRWA, WHO and the Berzeit University agreed to work on a review of the health situation on the basis of an established set of indicators.

WHO participated in the meeting organized by OCHA on the preparation of the Needs Analysis Framework and of the Mid-term review of the CAP 2006. A recommendation has been made to revise the Appeal as soon as possible.

WHO's 2006 activities have so far been funded by the Organization's Regular Budget and a recent contribution from Norway. A major funding gap remains.

SURINAME

Assessments and events:

Following torrential rains, the Government has declared the southern part of the country a disaster area and requested international assistance.

With more heavy rains forecast, the situation is expected to deteriorate. The situation of displaced people in the East is serious, especially for villagers living on small islands, which are now completely flooded.

Little information is available as access to affected areas is difficult, but there are reports that health centres are flooded.

Rainwater is the main source of water in the affected region. More than 70% of the population do not have adequate sanitation. Clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion are therefore high-priority needs to prevent an increase in diarrhoeal diseases. There are fears that mercury from river mining operations may also cause contamination.

Actions:

WHO/PAHO has deployed five experts to support the Country Office in assessing health needs and mobilizing of resources. A sanitary engineer already on the ground is providing technical support.

A SUMA Supply Management System team has also been deployed.

As experience as shown that flooding is generally followed by malaria outbreaks, WHO/PAHO has prepared an appeal that encompasses malaria and other communicable disease control.

WHO/PAHO is managing activities in Suriname.

NIGERIA

Assessments and events:

On 12 May, an explosion at an oil pipeline outside Lagos left between 150 and 200 people dead and a much greater number suffering from extensive burns.

This type of accident is recurrent. Support should be provided to the MoH in the development of preparedness measures.

Actions:

WHO has offered the MoH assistance from the Palermo Collaborating Centre for the Prevention and Treatment of Burns and Fire Disasters.

During a similar emergency in October 2001, experts from that Centre had been sent to Lagos to provide specialized surgical treatment and advice.

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