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Myanmar

Myanmar: Health cluster situation report no. 17, 23 May 2008

HIGHLIGHTS

1. No disease outbreaks are reported.

2. There will be an ASEAN-UN International Pledging Conference in Yangon on 25 May, attended by the UN Secretary General, representatives from UN agencies, international NGOs and major donors. The conference will discuss the Myanmar Government's requirements for rebuilding, which is estimated to cost USD 11 billion. ASEAN is expected to present a framework of action.

3. The international media reports that Myanmar agrees to allow all international aid workers into the country for relief work, following discussions between the UN Secretary-General and the Myanmar government.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT

- No disease outbreaks are reported. The numbers of reported cases of diseases are within the margins of normal seasonal trends.

- UNICEF has vaccinated 1000 children between the ages of nine months and five years in Labutta township for measles. Their mothers have been given tetanus-toxoid vaccine shots.

- WHO staff visiting temporary shelters in Pyapon have reported that number of outpatients is decreasing. Drug supplies are adequate.

- The Thai medical team has reported that they have treated 300-400 people in temporary shelters hosting 12000 people.

- There is an urgent need for clean water in the shelters.

- In moderately affected places like Pyapon, the emergency is moving to recovery phase. The damaged hospital roof has been mended, houses have been repaired people are moving back to their homes.

- While recovery is starting in some areas, the worst-affected areas are still in emergency phase. Relief efforts will continue for the people who still have not been reached with adequate emergency assistance.

SITUATION UPDATE

- There will be an ASEAN-UN International Pledging Conference in Yangon on 25 May, attended by the Un Secretary General, representatives from UN agencies, international NGOs and major donors. The meeting will discuss the Myanmar Government's requirements for rebuilding, which is estimated to cost USD 11 billion. ASEAN is expected to present a framework of action.

- The international media has reported that Myanmar has agreed to allow all international aid workers for relief work in cyclone-affected areas, following discussions between the UN Secretary General and the Myanmar government.

- The first of ten WFP helicopters, each of which can carry up to three metric tonnes of essential supplies to out-of-reach survivors in the Ayeyarwady delta, has arrived in Yangon. This will help improve distribution of supplies to the more remote areas.

- Heavy rains continue to hamper relief work, as the wet and muddy ground makes it difficult even to set up even tents.

HEALTH CLUSTER RESPONSE

1. Surveillance

- WHO and seven health partners have established a working group to focus on disease surveillance for early warning and response to outbreaks. To support this group, WHO Myanmar team has been strengthened with an epidemiologist.

- Health partners have agreed that disease surveillance will be based on both formal systems and informal methods of rumour verification.

2. Mental Health

- Many partners express concern about the mental health situation and a sub-group is being formed within the health cluster to focus on this issue.

- IOM doctors have been trained and briefed on psychosocial needs.

3. Supplies

- To date, WHO has distributed 20 000 ORS sachets in affected areas of Ayeyarwady division.

- Two WHO logisticians are in Myanmar to assist in procurement and distribution of supplies.

HEALTH COORDINATION

- Merlin has been invited to co-chair all health cluster meetings.

- IOM has opened a sub-office in Bogale. The organization has three medical teams in the field.

NEXT STEPS

- The Health Cluster's joint plan of action for six months, which encompass the relief and recovery phase and carries contingency provisions against major outbreaks, is being finalized.

- WHO continues to advocate with the donors to mobilize stronger support for the health sector. Till 18 May 2008, USD 6.2 million has been mobilized. The Flash Appeal will be revised and readjusted during the coming weeks as assessments bring in clearer information on needs.