11 November, 2008 =A6 MOSCOW/KATHMANDU/GENEVA -- Flood-ravaged areas of Nepal needing emergency health facilities will receive three multi-purpose tents that can be used as mobile health facilities thanks to the Russian Federation and World Health Organization.
Heavy rainfall in August followed by severe flash floods in September affected more than 200 000 people throughout Eastern and Western Nepal, and displaced more than 70 000. WHO responded promptly and dispatched mobile health teams and medical supplies to affected areas in close collaboration with the Nepalese Ministry of Health and Population.
WHO's Country Office in Nepal has now requested WHO's Health Action in Crises Cluster in Geneva to deliver to Kathmandu three pneumatic tents donated by the Russian Federation. The tents will be used as field hospitals and support on-going health emergency response operations in Sunsari and Saptari, the districts most affected by the flooding.
A WHO logistician will also travel to Nepal to demonstrate to local staff how to use these newly developed tents.
The donation of these three massive tents is being provided by EMERCOM, the Russian Federation Ministry for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters.
For more information please contact:
Paul Garwood
Communications Officer
Health Action in Crises
WHO, Geneva
Telephone: +41 22 791 3462
Mobile: +41 794 755546
E-mail: garwoodp@who.int