Floods in western Africa: health relief arrives
28 January 2008
Floods across western Africa in September were the worst for several decades. Hundreds of thousands of people were at least temporarily displaced, health risks from water-borne bacteria and viruses surged, and already over-burdened health systems were disrupted or destroyed.
As countries in the western African flood plain continue to recover, WHO and partners recently responded with distributions of badly needed medical equipment, drugs and supplies to help get health services back to normal.
"To think that several months down the line we are still receiving support really touches our hearts," says Mustapha Ali Idris, a government minister in northern Ghana.
This photo essay shows some of the flood's effects in Ghana and Togo, and health service recovery operations coordinated by WHO and the WHO Regional Office for Africa, and supported by Norway.
Events
-
The 8th Global Conference on Health Promotion
10–14 June 2013
-
Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly
20–28 May 2013
Corporate resources
-
The world health report
Report on global public health and key statistics -
World health statistics report
WHO's annual compilation of data from its Member States -
International travel and health
Publication on travel risks, precautions and vaccination requirements -
International Health Regulations (IHR)
Global rules to enhance national, regional and global public health security