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.
HORN OF AFRICA
Assessments and events:
Some 8.5 million people mainly from pastoralist communities across the region are affected by the drought.
This is a complex crisis marked by fragile livelihoods. Rains have started but emergency needs are likely to continue due to the people's overstretched coping capacities, and the increase in human and livestock health threats.
In Somalia, malnutrition rates reach 25% in some areas; in affected areas in Ethiopia, mortality rates of 3.9 deaths per 10 000 per day are reported among children under five, which is well above the emergency threshold.
Poor access to health care is a main factor of vulnerability. In affected areas of Kenya, estimates report less than five physicians and 38 nurses per 100 000 people.
Actions:
With the US$ 3.8 million in grants received from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), WHO works to support information management, improve coordination, fill gaps and build capacity. Activities carried out include:
- Assessments, evaluations and studies
in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Kenya;
- Meetings with authorities, affected
communities and NGOs for gap identification, regional WHO and health cluster
meetings at the regional level;
- Training for health workers on disease
and nutritional surveillance, outbreak control and health coordination
in all affected countries;
- Measles mass vaccination with vitamin
A distribution in all affected countries;
- Strengthening of control measures for
the oncoming malaria season in Kenya;
- Support to mobile outreach and community-based
care in Djibouti¸ Eritrea and Somalia;
- Recruitmentand deployment of national
and international staff in all countries;
- Provision of 20 New Emergency Health
Kits, 8 diarrhoea kits and 1 trauma kit, as well as of supplies for combined-therapy
for malaria and of 80 UNFPA clean delivery and SGBV kits in Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Kenya and Somalia;
- Investment in durable assets as in cold
chain equipment in Somalia and Kenya;
- Strengthening of all WHO country teams and sub-offices in Ethiopia and Kenya.
WHO's activities are supported by a grant from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Additional support is provided by Norway in Ethiopia and Italy in Djibouti.
INDONESIA
Assessments and events:
Between 300 000 and 500 000 homes were destroyed or damaged. The number of homeless people ranges from 1 to 2 million.
The Government announced that the emergency phase will end on 27 June, but the distribution of emergency relief assistance is expected to continue.
Health structures were hard hit by the earthquake. Additional international medical teams are no longer required but there are concerns about secondary health threats, diseases, infections, need for rehabilitation of patients, etc.
The MoH reported that the number of tetanus cases continues to rise - as of 16 June, 60 cases have been reported, including 21 deaths. This is also considered as an indicator of the low immunization coverage against tetanus existing before the earthquake.
An survey conducted by CARDI, a consortium of three international NGOs, in Berbah and Pundong shows that the quantity of available water is acceptable and that 100% of households are boiling water. However there is a low capacity for safe water storage and 77% of dwellings are close to standing water, a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The same survey reveals that sanitation is insufficient.
Actions:
According to provincial health authorities, the measles and tetanus immunization has reached so far 69% and 60% of the respective targets.
Immunizations, primary health care and referral are provided by 18 mobile teams established by the MoH and provincial health authorities, and supported by WHO.
WHO supports provincial health authorities for water quality monitoring.
With support from the MoH and WHO, the faculties of Medicine of the University of Indonesia and of the Gadjah Mada University of Yogyakarta, and the Klaten Mental Hospital, are assessing the mental health status of affected populations.
Since the start of WHO operations, regular contact has been maintained between Geneva and the Country and Regional Offices in Yogyakarta, Jakarta and New Delhi.
The Indonesia Earthquake Response Plan was launched in Geneva on 6 June. WHO is requesting US$ 5.4 million to cover health needs of the affected populations. Thanks to pledges totalling US$ 2.24 million from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Monaco, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States , somewhat over 40% of total funds requested have been obtained.
TIMOR-LESTE
Assessments and events:
Security is slowly improving, but there are still about 100 000 people in temporary camps around Dili.
Most hospitals and health facilities fully functional.
Upper respiratory tract infection (66%) is the major disease affecting the displaced populations, followed by skin infections (11%), malaria (7%), acute watery diarrhoea (7%) and injuries (4%).
Poor environmental conditions in IDP centres - inadequate sanitation, overcrowding, insufficient shelter capacity, limited food and water supplies - increase the risk of diseases with epidemic potential.
Actions:
WHO is supporting the surveillance system set up by the MoH during the first week of the crisis. The system covers more than 80% of the IDP population in Dili and will be expanded further as security permits.
An investigation and response team was established to verify and investigate rumours and develop activities to contain and prevent further outbreaks.
WHO is working to strengthen laboratory capacity for the early detection of diseases with epidemic potential. WHO will also help to train national staff to detect and respond to outbreaks.
WHO participated in the Flash Appeal launched on 12 June, requesting US$ 1.3 million to support coordination, epidemic preparedness, early warning and response, maternal health, gender-based violence prevention and the provision drugs and consumables. So far, no pledges have been received.
(pdf* format - 156 KB)