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:
In Ethiopia, acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) continues to spread, with the death toll rising to 279 and 29 880 people infected. The outbreak has reached Afar.
Major floods from the Wabe Shabelle River have killed at least 67 people and displaced tens of thousands in the Somali state since the weekend. Half of the 280 000 people that live near the river have been forced from their homes. Roads have been washed away and many communities are cut off. The polio campaign was postponed by a week.
In Somalia, the same Wabe Shabelle floods have killed at least 12 people. Little additional information is available so far.
The UN Food and Security Analysis Unit reported that 1.8 million people are still facing acute food shortages, particularly in the South of Somalia, where about 1.4 million are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Increased violence in south and central Somalia has forced an estimated 24 000 people in north-east Kenya.
In Djibouti, three cases of measles were confirmed. One suspected case of acute flaccid paralysis was declared on 20 October but is not yet confirmed.
Actions:
In Ethiopia, the Government and humanitarian agencies are working together to try and contain the AWD epidemic.
The Government's Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA) is organizing a first reconnaissance by helicopter in the flood affected area. WHO is participating.
In Eritrea, WHO and the Country Team developed four new projects addressing water and sanitation, infant and under-five mortality and access to and utilization of health facilities.
In Djibouti, WHO is supporting the preparation of the next polio campaign which is planned for 4-11 December. WHO also provided MOH with equipment to support epidemiological surveillance and immunization activities.
With the malaria season almost upon the Horn, WHO is advocating intensified prevention activities such as indoor residual spraying to mitigate potential outbreaks Incidence is expected to peak from January until April.
WHO's emergency activities are supported by a grant from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), Italy for Djibouti and Sweden and Finland for Somalia and for supporting health cluster coordination.
GUINEA
Assessments and events:
According to OCHA, the situation in Kindia, hit by severe floods in September, is alarming. An estimated 1200 people are still in need of assistance after the loss of their houses, food supplies and belongings.
Kindia is also affected by a cholera outbreak, and flooding of wells and latrines has contaminated water sources, increasing further the risk for the population.
Cholera is also affecting Conakry.
The outbreak of cholera in Guinea Forestière has subsided, after totaling 1564 cases between January and September 2006.
Actions:
WHO, UNICEF and OCHA conducted an assessment in Kindia and recommended necessary actions.
WHO pre positioned drugs against malaria, diarrhoeal diseases and acute respiratory infections.
The MoH and local health authorities, with support from WHO, reinforced epidemiological surveillance for high risk diseases.
WHO and UNICEF organized sensitization campaigns for local populations.
Four more cholera kits have been requested urgently.
Funding for emergency activities came from the CERF.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Assessments and events:
Living conditions in Gaza have plummeted with unprecedented levels of unemployment. Surveys show that 87% of residents live below the poverty line, and 80% depend on UNRWA food aid.
The European Union is expected to double its support to the oPt.
Actions:
WHO has finalized the 2007 Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) in consultation with OCHA.
WHO has proposed to ECHO a project aiming to provide drugs and medical supplies and to build capacity of the health sector in 2007.
WHO is preparing a roundtable on the issue of infectious disease. Health professionals and partners from Israel and the oPt will gather to discuss and propose common activities in the field of communicable diseases.
WHO's 2006 emergency activities are funded by the Organization's Regular Budget and contributions from ECHO, Japan, Finland and Norway.
SUDAN
Assessments and events:
In South Darfur, security is tense and volatile in several areas. There is an influx of displaced from Tulus to Nyala, with an average of 100 to 150 arrivals in Otash camp daily.
Cholera continues, but case reporting has been poor. The cumulative number of cholera cases in South Darfur is 1669 including 77 deaths since the beginning of the outbreak in August. In West Darfur, 780 cases and 58 deaths and in North Darfur, 287 cases and 10 deaths.
Actions:
In Darfur, WHO continues assisting the State MoHs in responding to cholera by supporting response coordination, case management and surveillance.
The State MoH, in collaboration with WHO, is opening a health facility for new arrivals in Otash Camp.
In North Darfur, WHO and UNICEF are supporting the State MoH in coordinating the upcoming polio immunization campaign. Discussions are ongoing to ensure the security of the vaccination teams.
To reinforce access to quality health services in rural areas, WHO supports two local health committees in rehabilitating their village health facilities.
In south Kordofan, WHO is coordinating the preparation of the upcoming polio immunization campaign in Abyei with health partners, local authorities and UN agencies.
In 2006, contributions for WHO's emergency activities were received from ECHO, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland, the United States as well as the CERF and the 2006 Common Humanitarian Fund.
(pdf* format - 170 KB)