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.
LEBANON HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
Assessments and events:
As of 2 August, the conflict across the border between Lebanon and Israel continues, threatening people's health in the region. Severe damage to the infrastructure is affecting the health system's capacity to deliver care.
An estimated 680 000 people have been displaced in Lebanon, putting a severe strain on the resources and systems of the host communities. A further 220 000 have fled to Syria, Jordan, Cyprus and the Gulf countries.
It can be assumed that only the most vulnerable now remain in South Lebanon and reaching them is a priority.Affected populations need urgent support to be able to access safe drinking water, health care, vaccines and life-saving medications.
The UN is assessing the feasibility of establishing a presence in Tyre.
Actions:
In Lebanon, the Health Cluster is meeting regularly. Health Authorities, WHO and their partners are monitoring health in the temporary shelters in the North of the country.
WHO is recruiting local experts in nutrition, water and sanitation, communicable and non-communicable diseases, mental health and maternal and child health. They are supported on daily basis by international technical staff from the relevant departments and divisions in Headquarters and the EMRO Regional Office. Some of the latter are being deployed to the field.
In the Beirut area, a measles immunization campaign organized by the MoH with support from WHO and UNICEF began on 2 August in 144 centres hosting the displaced for all children from 9 to 59 months. Children will also be given vitamin A.
In Saida, WHO is looking into providing vaccines, drugs for chronic diseases and supplies for laboratory and radiology to ten clinics supported by the Rafic Hariri Foundation and the Lebanese Red Cross.
In Syria, the Health Cluster is meeting regularly. WHO is compiling a health cluster matrix with updated information on Who is Doing What Where.
UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO and the Arab Red Crescent society will conduct rapid needs assessments in two new shelters. WHO is joining UNHCR in an assessment visit to Alepo where at least 30 000 refugees will be housed.
An epidemic early warning and response system will be set up in four refugee camps, enabling WHO to provide weekly mortality and morbidity data to all partners.
The Flash Appeal for Lebanon seeks US$ 144 million. More than US$ 32.4 million are requested for health, including US$ 14 million specifically for WHO activities. Pledges for health were received from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), Australia, Canada, ECHO, Italy, Ireland, Norway and Sweden.
Cash is favoured rather than in-kind donations to facilitate the local and regional procurement of services, essential drugs, and life-saving items such as chlorine for drinking water.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Assessments and events:
In a joint agency statement, UN humanitarian agencies stated their deep concern about the impact of continuing violence on the population and infrastructure in Gaza. The humanitarian situation of 1.4 million people, more than half of them children, has sharply declined in the past weeks.
The targeting of Gaza's vital infrastructures, particularly the destruction of the only domestic power plant, triggered a chain reaction of lack of power, scarcity of fuel for generators and water shortage, thus causing a serious threat to people's health and harming the functioning of the entire health system.
Of further concern is the lack of access to health care in Egypt and Jordan due to the total and prolonged closure of Rafah border.
Actions:
Emergency measures are being taken by local institutions and the international community. Among others, the Temporary International Mechanism is addressing the most urgent needs of the health sector, providing medical supplies, fuel, and allowances for health workers.
WHO and partners support the delivery of health services by providing fuel and generators to the health facilities, essential medicines, disposables, consumables and kits (hygiene, baby and trauma).
WHO is monitoring the situation in the health system and the health status of the Palestinian people.
WHO's 2006 emergency activities are funded by the Organization's Regular Budget, a contribution from Norway and a UN Trust Fund for Human Security funded by Japan.