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.
PAKISTAN
Assessments and Events
- Between 17 and 23 October, sentinel sites in the IDP hosting and conflictaffected districts in NWFP* recorded 95 466 consultations, of which 952 were for antenatal care, 1156 for chronic non-communicable diseases and 302 for injuries. Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) accounted for 27% of all conditions, followed by acute diarrhoea (7%).
- During this period, no outbreaks were reported. However, the number of reported consultations for ARTI, in particular acute lower respiratory tract infections, is rising in most districts due to the increasingly cold weather.
- As of 29 October, there were more than 241 000 persons living in host communities in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank Districts. Access to IDPs is challenging due to the remoteness of both districts. In addition, lack of human resources and the fact that IDPs are not regrouped in camps further complicate the delivery of health services.
Actions
- WHO provided technical support to the NWFP Health Department (DoH) to assess 57 (75%) public health facilities in Swat District. Merlin, International Medical Corps, Save the Children and the American Refugee Committee. Results show that 20 health facilities are partially damaged and six remain inoperative.
- WHO and health partners started a sanitation and infection control project in Swabi, Charsadda and Nowshera DHQ hospitals, Pabbi satellite hospital (Nowshera District) and Sheikh Yusaf basic health unit in (Mardan District). It includes the provision of safe drinking water, the installation of chlorinators, the renovation of existing latrines and the construction of new ones.
- In Lower Dir District, cluster members are strengthening reproductive health care by distributing hygiene kits and providing psychosocial support.
- WHO is supporting the NWFP DoH to respond to the influx of IDPs in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank Districts. To boost capacity and ensure health care to IDPs despite their relative isolation, an inventory of local NGOs is being prepared for Health Cluster members.
- The Health Cluster pre-positioned four interagency emergency health kits (IEHKs), 54 mini emergency health kits (MEHKs), 10 Diarrhoeal Diseases Kits, and 40 000 syringes in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank Districts.
- Since May, more than 50 000 IDP children have been immunized against polio in both districts.
- As of 5 November, the Pakistan Humanitarian Response Plan, seeking US$ 680 million, is funded at 70%, but funds are urgently needed for water and sanitation facilities and health services. The Health Cluster has received 50% of the funds required in the Revised Plan (WHO/42%).
- WHO and partners have received funds from the USA, Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Norway, DFID, ECHO and the CERF.
