Health action in crises/OPT – WHO information highlights 23 Feb-1 Mar 2009 (excerpts)

Health Action in Crises

Highlights No 248 – 23 February – 1 March 2009

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.

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

Assessments and Events

• The NGO Médecins du Monde has assessed 54 MoH health facilities for services delivery, medical supply needs.

• According to UNRWA, watery diarrhoea and acute bloody diarrhoea remain the major causes of morbidity among reportable infectious diseases in the refugee population of the Gaza Strip, making health education for the prevention of water- and food-borne diseases a priority.

Actions

• WHO continues to support the drug supply management system in Gaza.

• To date, 70% of donated medical supplies (out of 4500 MT) have been sorted out and part of it directly supplied to health facilities upon needs expressed.

• The Health Cluster has completed an Initial Health Needs Assessment.

• The classification and standardization of health services for disabilities subcluster and mental health and psychosocial under process.

• The Health Cluster coordination mechanism is fully activated in Gaza.

• WHO requires US$ 9.7 million through the Special Appeal for life-saving and recovery needs in Gaza. WHO has received support from OCHA, Italy, Norway and Australia. Spain, Switzerland and ECHO have contributed to the CAP.

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