ID :
18644
Tue, 09/09/2008 - 19:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/18644
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WHO, partners launch health response for Pakistan's flood, conflict displaced
Geneva, Sept 9 PPI: Some 423,000 people in Pakistan need urgent health care after being affected by recent conflict and flooding. World Health Organization (WHO) and partners are requesting US$9.76 million to undertake life-saving health responses to this humanitarian crisis.
Outbreaks of communicable diseases, including acute watery diarrhoea, respiratory
infections, various water- and vector-borne diseases, are of high risk due to large
numbers of people forced into cramped, temporary housing where concerns exist over
safety of drinking water and sanitation.
With malaria season starting, risks for a large-scale spread of malaria are high.
Outbreaks of measles, one of major killers of children, are also possible due to low
immunization coverage in some areas.
"Thousands of lives are at risk in Pakistan if we do not act now to provide urgent
health care to those affected by these terrible floods or forced from their homes by
violence," said Dr Eric Laroche, Assistant Director General for WHO's Health Action
in Crises Cluster.
Pakistan's worst-hit areas by August's heavy monsoon rains were Peshawar, in
Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP), and Rajanpur in Punjab province. Mud houses were
washed away and clinics, bridges and other infrastructure destroyed. Some 200 000
people were affected in NWFP and 100,000 in Punjab. Many urgently need aid,
particularly elderly, sick and disabled.
Violence in NWFP and Federally Administered Tribal Areas FATA forced 123,000 people
to flee in recent months. While a considerable number of displaced people have
returned due to Ramadan cease-fire, it is estimated 400,000 more could be displaced
if hostilities resume at end of Ramadan (late September) or earlier. UN agencies
cannot reach a further 200 000 displaced inside FATA.
WHO and Health Ministry are coordinating activities of health players as part of
"Health Cluster" response to address health needs of people in camps and areas of
return, as well as support health services in seven districts hosting the displaced.
``Local authorities, with federal support provided help including healthcare support
and food,'' said Dr Khalif Bile, WHO's representative to Pakistan. ``But extent of
crisis means more aid is needed, including medicines, water and sanitation materials
for 150000 people. Restoring key services, like health, is vital.''
WHO announced $5.5 million package as part of Pakistan Humanitarian Response Plan
to: coordinate health interventions; offer primary health care: treat illnesses,
mother, child care, psychosocial support; monitor disease outbreaks, nutrition
statuses; assess local health services, identify damages, provide equipment and fix
facilities; improve water quality, provide water, sanitation to health facilities.
WHO's Health Cluster partners need combined $4.26 million for crucial health
activities, including UNICEF (maternal, child health care like immunizations), UNFPA
(reproductive health services), Merlin NGO (primary health care), Islamic Relief
Pakistan & International Medical Corps (mobile services), and Johanniter (mother &
child health services).
Outbreaks of communicable diseases, including acute watery diarrhoea, respiratory
infections, various water- and vector-borne diseases, are of high risk due to large
numbers of people forced into cramped, temporary housing where concerns exist over
safety of drinking water and sanitation.
With malaria season starting, risks for a large-scale spread of malaria are high.
Outbreaks of measles, one of major killers of children, are also possible due to low
immunization coverage in some areas.
"Thousands of lives are at risk in Pakistan if we do not act now to provide urgent
health care to those affected by these terrible floods or forced from their homes by
violence," said Dr Eric Laroche, Assistant Director General for WHO's Health Action
in Crises Cluster.
Pakistan's worst-hit areas by August's heavy monsoon rains were Peshawar, in
Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP), and Rajanpur in Punjab province. Mud houses were
washed away and clinics, bridges and other infrastructure destroyed. Some 200 000
people were affected in NWFP and 100,000 in Punjab. Many urgently need aid,
particularly elderly, sick and disabled.
Violence in NWFP and Federally Administered Tribal Areas FATA forced 123,000 people
to flee in recent months. While a considerable number of displaced people have
returned due to Ramadan cease-fire, it is estimated 400,000 more could be displaced
if hostilities resume at end of Ramadan (late September) or earlier. UN agencies
cannot reach a further 200 000 displaced inside FATA.
WHO and Health Ministry are coordinating activities of health players as part of
"Health Cluster" response to address health needs of people in camps and areas of
return, as well as support health services in seven districts hosting the displaced.
``Local authorities, with federal support provided help including healthcare support
and food,'' said Dr Khalif Bile, WHO's representative to Pakistan. ``But extent of
crisis means more aid is needed, including medicines, water and sanitation materials
for 150000 people. Restoring key services, like health, is vital.''
WHO announced $5.5 million package as part of Pakistan Humanitarian Response Plan
to: coordinate health interventions; offer primary health care: treat illnesses,
mother, child care, psychosocial support; monitor disease outbreaks, nutrition
statuses; assess local health services, identify damages, provide equipment and fix
facilities; improve water quality, provide water, sanitation to health facilities.
WHO's Health Cluster partners need combined $4.26 million for crucial health
activities, including UNICEF (maternal, child health care like immunizations), UNFPA
(reproductive health services), Merlin NGO (primary health care), Islamic Relief
Pakistan & International Medical Corps (mobile services), and Johanniter (mother &
child health services).
