Health situation in OPT – WHO information highlights 14 – 20 April 2008 (excerpts)

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Health Action in Crises: Highlights No. 204 – 14 to 20 April 2008

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

Fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip are still stopped. On 15 April, eight UN organizations issued a joint statement to express their concern as this is having a severe impact upon the population and UN operations.

The current situation is a threat to the health and well-being of the population.

If the situation deteriorates further, the main threats to health would include

 

 Increased risk of maternal, infant and under-five deaths, of waterborne disease, of trauma and depression;

 Poor and deteriorating social and economic coping mechanisms with lack of access to health care;

 Disrupted distribution or shortages of drugs, medical kits and blood supplies;

 Restricted mobility of ambulances and health staff;

 Overload in hospitals and possible disruption in the functioning;

 Population movements.

Actions

UN agencies are working together on contingency plans should the situation worsen further. Health partners are particularly concerned with maintaining access to MoH health facilities. In Gaza, WHO is involving local and international NGOs in the sector response plan.

Recent WHO’s emergency activities have been supported by ECHO, Italy, Norway, OCHA/Spain, and the CERF.

For more information is available at: www.emro.who.int/palestine/

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Health Action in Crises

WHO is working with partners to address the health aspects of crises in more than 40 coun tries. Check the Health Action in Crises Web site for more details: http:/www.who.int/hac/