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 internal use and does not reflect any official position of the WHO Secretariat.
BANGLADESH - CYCLONE SIDR
Assessments and Events
- With official reports putting the number of families affected by Cyclone Sidr at 1.65 million, key public health concerns relate to the scarcity of safe drinking water, poor sanitation and the lack of shelter.
- The nine most severely affected districts are Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Barisal, Borguna, Patuakhali, Pirojpur and Jahlokhati and Bhola.
- Cases of diarrhoea and typhoid fever, acute respiratory infections, including pneumonia, and eye and skin infections have been reported in some districts. Field teams deployed by the Government, NGOs and other responders are providing health care to affected communities.
- The Health Cluster reports the following as the most immediate priorities:
- Improve disease data sharing and reporting;
- Conduct needs and damage assessment to identify and reach underserved areas;
- Provide protection to un-accompanied vulnerable individuals (children and elderly);
- Support care for injuries and psychosocial work;
- Take stock of losses in community-based programmes (e.g. polio and HIV/Aids);
- Promote inter-cluster coordination. Actions
- Surge staff from the Regional Office in Delhi and headquarters in Geneva are supporting WHO's response in Dhaka.
- The CERF made available US$ 1.46 million to WHO for coordination, prevention and control of waterborne diseases outbreaks, provision of emergency drugs and the replenishment of the buffer stock of essential drugs. WHO also received water and sanitation equipment from Norway and three diarrhoeal diseases kits from Italy.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Assessments and Events
- In Oro Province, floods triggered by tropical Cyclone Guba have killed 164 people and displaced at least 13 000. Most of the province remains cut off, with access possible only by air or sea. About 143 000 people are affected. - Assessments show that the provincial hospital, the urban clinic, all ten health centres and one health sub-centre are operational, as well as 14 out of 19 assessed aid-posts. Most of the assessed health facilities are staffed, though some only partially.
- Popondetta provincial hospital sees only 'routine' patients not seemingly linked to the disaster. There are some unconfirmed cases of dysentery but according to media reports, health authorities are reporting an increase of diarrhoea cases.
Actions
- WHO is supporting the National Department of Health for emergency response and is coordinating with other national and international health partners. Meetings of all health sector partners are held daily.
- A disease surveillance system was established using a standard reporting format, but it is limited to health facilities with an operational radio.
- The assessment of health facilities is ongoing. Twenty- five aid-posts with no radio communication were assessed physically this week.
- The redeployment of health staff from the provincial hospital to outlying health facilities is being considered.