Each week, the World Health Organization Health Action in Crises in Geneva produces information highlights on critical health-related activities in countries where there are 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 operational use and does not reflect any official position of the WHO Secretariat.
HAITI
Assessments and Events
- The Government estimates the number of deaths to be over 112 000 with 196 000 people injured. Around 700 000 people are living in temporary shelter sites in Port-au-Prince.
- Although many people still need treatment for trauma injuries caused by the earthquake, their number is declining. The Health Cluster is focusing its activities on the assessment of primary care and mobile health facilities and on the conditions of migrating populations and those living in poor sanitary environments.
- The MoH is defining a plan to assess post-operative care and human resources needs and determine how many people will require care in mobile clinics. The plan will take into account immunization, psychosocial support, the needs of the handicapped population and of those with HIV whose treatment has been halted, epidemiological surveillance, reproductive health and mental health.
- Sanitation is becoming a major concern in temporary settlements and there are reports of more children with diarrheal disease, particularly in resettlement areas.
- Finally reports from the field indicate that gender-based violence, including sexual violence, is likely to increase. Preventing sexual violence and providing appropriate health care services for victims are will become priorities.
Actions
- The inter-agency multi-sectoral rapid assessment continues, with 28 teams visiting 54 areas. The final results are expected by the end of this week.
- An immunization campaign organized by the MoH, UNICEF and PAHO/WHO began on Tuesday. Up to 250 000 children aged 6 weeks to 7 years will be vaccinated against diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, rubella and tetanus. Another campaign was launched simultaneously to provide tetanus immunization to the estimated 196 000 people injured by the earthquake.
- An epidemiology team coordinated by the MoH is now providing a weekly report which is shared with partners on Wednesdays. An epidemiologist from Epicentre* *has will collaborate with the MoH team. Some 52 sentinel sites for communicable disease surveillance have been established and three mobile teams are conducting field investigations for suspected of communicable disease cases.
- Health authorities and PAHO/WHO have completed an evaluation of available equipment (surgery, gynaecology and obstetrics, x-ray, physiotherapy and emergency services) at the General University Hospital, the Hôpital de la Paix and the maternity hospital in Isaie Jeanty.
- PAHO/WHO and the CDC are preparing a consolidated list of organizations that are providing services through mobile health facilities. This will continue to be a priority in the coming months with the arrival of the hurricane and rainy season.
- PAHO/WHO visited Fond Parisien and the hospitals Buen Samaritano and General Melenciano to identify risk factors related to water quality, the collection and management of solid and hospital waste and vector control.
- PAHO/WHO is supporting the design of a mental health work plan and participating in the interagency working group for mental health and psychosocial support.
- As of 3 February, 45 inter-agency emergency kits (IEHKs) had arrived in the Dominican Republic. Each basic kit contains medicines for 1000 people for three months for common diseases. A further, 180 full kits have been ordered to treat 10 000 for three months.
- The total pledged contributions (cash and in-kind) to WHO and PAHO for the earthquake in Haiti is over US$ 12 million from Italy, Canada, Monaco, Spain, the United Sates, the CERF and Eisai Co. Ltd.