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Burkina Faso + 6 more

Health Action in Crises - Highlights No. 254, 13 - 19 Apr 2009

Attachments

Each week, the World Health Organization Health Action in Crises in Geneva produces information highlights on critical health-related activities in countries where there are 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 operational use and does not reflect any official position of the WHO Secretariat.

SUDAN

Assessments and Events

- The humanitarian community continues to focus on gaining access, identifying additional capacity and filling the gaps left by the 4 March expulsion/dissolution of NGOs from Darfur rising insecurity and continuing challenges (OCHA).

- Gaps in the health and sanitation sectors are of particular concern with the upcoming rainy season. Only 30% of the 650 000 people that lost health care coverage following 4 March have received some form of health care assistance.

- Cases of meningitis have been confirmed throughout Darfur: 112 suspected cases (11 confirmed) in South Darfur, 13 cases (nine deaths) in West Darfur's Jabel Marra area and six cases reported by the State MoH in North Darfur.

- An interagency mission to eastern Jabel Marra reported a lack of measles and polio vaccinations and notable gaps in water and sanitation services.

Actions

- In West Darfur, the State MoH, WHO, UNICEF and the ICRC conducted a meningitis vaccination campaign in the Kutrum, Tour and Kitty areas of Jabel Marra. More than 28 400 people had been vaccinated by 11 April. WHO provided ICRC with supplies, protocol guidelines, and essential medications to manage suspected meningitis cases in neighbouring Rokoro, an area inaccessible to UN and MoH staff.

- WHO provided 35 cylinders of oxygen to the Elgenina Teaching Hospital.

- In North Darfur, WHO, the State MoH and partners are following up on the continuation of services in areas previously assisted by the expelled NGOs, particularly in IDP camps and rural areas. A joint mission to Kebkabya and Saraf Omra was organized last week to assess gaps following MSF-Belgium's withdrawal and to devise how WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA can best support the State MoH to run the three primary health care centres with national staff.

- WHO also visited Kutum, Kabkabeya and Mallet rural hospitals. In Mallet, WHO will remedy a shortage of lab reagents and support the MoH in identifying a technician for the x-ray department.

- In South Darfur, WHO held a meeting with the Federal and State MoHs, UNICEF, the Sudan Red Crescent Society, and the NGOs NHC, MDM, ARC, NCA and Sudan Aid on the provision of health care in Beleil. WHO continues to monitor Nyala Teaching Hospital to ensure free health care for IDPs.

- In South Kordofan, WHO, UN agencies and MoH representatives are assessing the gaps following the expulsion of seven international NGOs working in the area. An assessment of Algalaa health centre in Abu Jubeiha showed an urgent need for medical supplies and laboratory services.

- WHO's activities in Sudan are funded by the CERF, the Common Humanitarian Fund, ECHO, the ERF, Finland, Ireland and Italy.