Each week, the World Health Organization 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.
PERU
Assessments and events:
A week after the earthquake, aftershocks continue, but with less intensity. Up to 30 000 people are thought to be homeless while 503 are reported dead and 1042 wounded, of which 650 were transported to Lima for care.
Pisco region was the most severely affected: two hospitals collapsed and more than 25 health centres were damaged. Overall, four hospitals are reported destroyed and 16 affected.
Emergency response is improving with the health emergency operations centre coordinating activities, resources and needs. A Situation Room was established to centralize information management and analysis.
The MoH has deployed health brigades in Cañete, Ica and Chincha. A rise in the number of confirmed cases of acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea is attributed to heightened surveillance rather than to post-earthquake causes. Medical teams are also supporting local hospitals in Ica Department.
Priorities for the health sector include epidemiological surveillance, water distribution and waste collection, environmental health, restoration of health services and provision of psychological support
Actions:
WHO/PAHO dispatched 12 disaster management and other experts to Peru. They are supporting national authorities and coordinating with the UNDAC team and other international cooperation agencies on the ground. Activities include:
- Analysing the vaccination coverage;
- Planning the response with the emergencies and Disasters Programme (PED);
- Supporting the deployment of mental care services;
- Mobilizing people specialized in producing succinct health reports.
- Assisting the Government in producing objective assessment of needs;
- Assisting in providing communication (satellite and cell phones) in the field.
WHO/PAHO is assisting the National Civil Defense in operating a Logistic Support Systems (SUMA/LSS) to ensure rapid inventory, classification and distribution of urgent humanitarian supplies,
WHO/PAHO also supports authorities in defining a mass communication work strategy, in promoting health in shelters, and in collaborating with the media and other institutional actors.
Support for WHO's emergency operations is provided by Monaco and the UNCERF.
HURRICANE DEAN
Assessments and events:
In Jamaica, Hurricane Dean killed a reported four people and injured another 241; 1700 people are still living in shelters. A number of health centres suffered considerable damage and others are now only partially functioning because of lack of water, electricity and other necessities.
In Haiti, two deaths have been reported and dozens of injuries.
In Dominica, significant damage to the Princess Margret Hospital forced the all patients to evacuate. Two deaths and 30 injuries are reported. Damage to the health sector is estimated to reach $3 million. Hurricane Dean also affected St. Lucia, the Dominican Republic, Belize and the Martinique, forcing people in shelters and cutting off power supplies.
Actions:
In Jamaica, PAHO/WHO set up an operations centre. Two PAHO/WHO epidemiologists are working on information collection and the establishment of an emergency surveillance system. PAHO/WHO is assessing damage to the Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital and evaluating the possibility of emergency repairs. PAHO/WHO, in collaboration with the MoH, will purchase additional vector control insecticide and equipment.
In Haiti, the MoH and PAHO/WHO are conducting damage and needs assessments in the most affected areas.
In Belize, the PAHO/WHO country office is tracking the movement of Hurricane Dean. The National Emergency Management Office has declared a phase II. PAHO/WHO will coordinate the arrival of the OCHA team.
In St Lucia, health and disaster experts are conducting a joint rapid needs assessment. None of the MoH 34 rural clinics report damages.