Health action in crises (WHO/HAC)

Highlights No 131 – 23-29 October 2006


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.

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OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

Assessments and events: 

  • A freeze on international aid over the past six months has brought the economy to a standstill.
  • According to NGO reports, since the beginning of the civil servants' strike about eight weeks ago, patients' visits increased from 20 to 30% and doubled in some facilities and mobile clinics. Most patients are going to NGO-run rather than private health centres due to the poor economic situation.

Actions: 

  • Two pharmaceuticals consultants visited hospitals, district primary health care centres and drug stores in Gaza, Nablus and Ramallah. Together with WHO, they met with representatives from the MoH, NGOs and UNICEF, UNFPA, UNRWA and the World Bank.
  • Monitoring the impact of the strike, WHO visited primary health care facilities run by the Palestine Red Crescent Society, the Union of Health Work Committees and the Palestinian Medical Relief Society in the West Bank.
  • WHO, OCHA and other UN and NGO partners are working on the finalization of the 2007 Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) for oPt.
  • WHO's 2006 emergency activities are funded by the Organization's Regular Budget and contributions from ECHO, Japan, Finland and Norway.

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Document symbol: WHO/HAC Highlights No. 131
Document Type: Press Release
Document Sources: World Health Organization (WHO)
Subject: Health, Humanitarian relief, Social issues
Publication Date: 29/10/2006