Mid-term review of the UN flash appeal: WHO projects
South Asia earthquake and tsunamis
While millions of Tsunami survivors throughout South Asia and East Africa have escaped the horrors of major epidemics of communicable diseases in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, affected communities still face enormous challenges including the continued looming of well-documented health threats and psychological traumas from the loss of loved ones. In addition, further earthquakes and tsunamis remain a possibility as confirmed by the continuing seismic activity in Indonesia – the 28 March quake affecting Nias and neighbouring Islands off Sumatra, and the daily aftershocks.
Three months after the disaster, WHO, in collaboration with ministries of Health and partner organizations, has reviewed the health needs of affected populations and revised its requirements accordingly. WHO will carry out relief and recovery activities which will pave the way for a sound reconstruction of the affected areas. Through the Mid Term Review, WHO is now appealing for an additional USD 3,350,000, revising the total financial requirement from USD 67,060,220 previously requested under of the UN Flash Appeal, to USD 70,410,220.
Total funding requirement: US$ 70,410,220:
- US$ 15,000,000 for Regional activities (additional US$ 2.8 million)
- US$ 36,000,000 for Indonesia
- US$ 12,500,000 for Sri Lanka
- US$ 6,635,000 for Maldives (additional US$ 550,000)
- US$ 275,220 for Somalia
The implementation period of the activities to be carried out within the framework of the UN Flash Appeal and Mid-Term Review has been extended until the end of the year 2005.
Revised health sector priorities
- Health Protection and Disease Prevention: Threats of disease outbreaks remain and continued vigilance through efficient and effective disease surveillance systems must be ensured. Provision of quality information on health status with the establishment of health information systems using maps as management tools is required in order to build longer-term disease surveillance;
- Health Policy and Coordination: The tsunami is seen as an occasion for the health sector to improve the quality of its response in future crisis situations. In this context, a critical evaluation of the relief work achieved and lessons learnt exercises are key. Ensuring a cohesive response from all health actors is an important aspect of WHO’s role in the months to come; and
- Health Services Delivery: Primary responsibility in this domain lies at country level, especially with regard to nutrition, immunization, reproductive and women’s health, maternal and child health, care for chronic non-communicable diseases and mental health, safe water and sanitation, family planning, and HIV/AIDS programming. However, a regional approach to health work forces in affected countries is needed so as to further enhance delivery of basic health services. Technical, managerial and administrative guidance and support for project implementation through monitoring and tracking is also indispensable.
Total Contributions/firm pledges, and funding gap
as at 31 March 2005 (Amounts in in USD)
| Country/Region | Mid Term Review Request | Total Contributions and Firm Pledges | Funding Gap |
| Indonesia | 36,000,000 | 28,732,006 | 7,267,994 |
| Sri Lanka | 12,500,000 | 12,500,000 | 0 |
| Maldives | 6,635,000 | 5,405,329 | 1,229,671 |
| Somalia | 275,220 | 275,220 | 0 |
| Region* | 15,000,000 | 11,834,000 | 3,166,000 |
| TOTAL | 70,410,220 | 58,746,555 | 11,663,665 |
| *Includes funds for cross-country activities and for support to India, Thailand and Myanmar. | |||